Watch My Son the Jihadi
- 2015
- 47 min
-
7.1 (193)
My Son the Jihadi is a heart-wrenching documentary film that tells the story of a British woman, Sally Evans, and her struggle to understand her son's decision to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The main protagonist of the film is Sally Evans, a mother who is struggling to come to terms with her son's radicalization. The documentary follows Sally as she tries to understand how her son, Thomas Evans, became an ISIS fighter, and why he chose to leave his home country to join a terrorist group.
Thomas Evans was a bright, charismatic young man with a passion for soccer. He grew up in a loving and supportive family and was raised in a blend of Christian and Muslim traditions. However, Thomas became radicalized at the age of 21, and in 2014 he left the UK to fight for ISIS in Syria.
My Son the Jihadi is a deeply moving film that explores the struggles of a mother who is trying to understand her son's decision to join a terrorist organization. The documentary features interviews with Sally and her family, as well as with Thomas's friends and fellow fighters. Through these interviews, we get a sense of Thomas's personality, his motivations for joining ISIS, and the complex web of influences that led to his radicalization.
One of the most powerful aspects of My Son the Jihadi is the way in which it shows the human face of radicalization. We see how Thomas's love for his family, his desire for adventure and his search for meaning all contributed to his decision to join ISIS. We also see the destructive power of extremist ideology, and how it can warp a person's sense of reality and morality.
The film is particularly strong in its depiction of Sally's emotional journey. We see how she struggles to come to terms with the fact that her son is now a terrorist, and how she grapples with feelings of guilt, shame, and sadness. The documentary also explores the wider impact of Thomas's radicalization on his family and community, and the difficult questions that they must all now confront.
Despite the heavy subject matter, My Son the Jihadi is not a sensationalist or exploitative film. Rather, it is a nuanced and thoughtful portrayal of a complex issue that is all too often reduced to simplistic depictions in the media. The filmmakers have taken great care to present a balanced and sensitive picture of a very difficult topic, and the result is a powerful and thought-provoking film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Overall, My Son the Jihadi is an important and timely documentary that explores one of the most pressing issues of our time. Through its nuanced and empathetic portrayal of a mother's struggle to understand her son's radicalization, the film offers a powerful and moving insight into the complex web of factors that can lead someone to become a terrorist. It is a film that demands to be seen, discussed, and debated, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who watch it.
My Son the Jihadi is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.