The War Within

i am a Muslim, an Iranian..and have known the torture the people of such countries as Iran, Pakistan...south Americans survive and endure I think the director takes us on the journey of the struggle a man has after he has been terrorized, terrified, and hypnotized by the fanatical pain and rage that drives him to destroy a family he loves, a soul that no loner can bear the memories of his own torture. a brave and true vision of what a fanatical suicide bomber lives, what drives him. so beautifully shot, and sad to see how a man can lose all that he loves . a touching, brave film...Joseph Castello is a director to watch . the actors follow his lead and invite us into the struggle of the man and his inner war. a film to see and think about. it is real

THE WAR WITHIN is one of the most original and daring films ever made about terrorism because it does not present its suicide bomber protagonist as a religious fanatic. Instead, the anti-hero of the film is an intelligent, thoughtful man who has come to this place in life not out of a simplistic emotional reaction or as a religious zealot, but as a protest and as an almost rational response to mistreatment. The film is riveting and hard to watch (often at the same time) and would make a terrific "class trip" for high school and college educators, or for anyone who appreciates smart movies with no easy answers.

This will probably not reach a wide audience. A pity: it's one of the best films I have ever seen, with superb acting & direction. The subject is uncomfortable: it portrays those who inner lives are neither respected or investigated with any depth. But in this movie, you know you are watching the pain & rage of the dispossessed. At every stage, your interest is held & the cinematography is astonishing. I have never seen New York so well depicted, both the beauty & the squalor.It is also a tense & exciting thriller, the story is gripping. I have never heard of any of the people involved. I note the star is a co-writer. Clearly, these are people to look out for. Please go with an open mind-the film will enrich you-and might make you change your mind. For once, a film that is intellectually gripping.BRAVO.

I'm going to be bold and say that this is one of the most enlightening films I have seen in a very long time. Not only is it a phenomenal depiction of Muslim-American life, but it also presents an informative insight to the terrorist ideology that very few Americans understand. Many may think that a movie dealing with terrorism is meant to stir up controversy and dispute. I did not find this movie to be politically-charged nor offensive. It is purely the story of a man struggling with both the anger imposed on him by American intelligence and the happiness he once knew with his close friends. Regardless of your personal beliefs based on religion, terrorism, the war, etc… each and every person who lives in America has something to gain through thought and reflection after seeing this movie.

I think this is a very important film to be coming from these talented young filmmakers from the United States. It intelligently and gracefully opens up an essential and pressing debate in our culture about the origins of present terrorism. See this film and engage in the process of trying to understand what seems impossible to understand. It brings the debate home into our streets and lives unlike anything Ihave seen yet. As a film in aesthetic terms, it is very strong. The performances are nuanced and at times powerful. And the story is an essential one to see, to think about, to grapple with. Whether you accept the propositions of the film or not, the timeliness and the willingness to deal with the big themes of our day is indisputable.