American Fugitive: The truth about Hassan (2006)
American Fugitive: The truth about Hassan (Directed by Jean-Daniel Lafond, 2006) A bold and thought-provoking film, American Fugitive: The truth about Hassan provides a rare glimpse into an unrepentant assassin’s story. It is the story about David Belfield, the man who assassinated Ali Akbar Tabatabai, the former press attaché and representative of the Shah at the Iranian Embassy in 1980.
Disappearing right after the assignation, Belfield reappears decades later with a new name in the well-known film Kandahar (2001). Now 25 years later, using the name Hassan Abdulrahman, Hassan tells his version of his story in American Fugitive: The truth about Hassan.
Still on the FBI’s most wanted list, we learn about Hassan (formerly David Belfied), an African-American, who becomes radicalized in the 1960s and converts to Islam. This inquisitive documentary includes numerous interviews including that of Joseph Trento, an investigative journalist, and Gary Sick, a member of Jimmy Carter’s National Security Council staff. What results is a panoramic portrait complete with accusations and international conspiracy theories that generates more questions than answers.
A challenging film, American Fugitivesheds light on American domestic and foreign policies regarding the crisis in the Middle East. As director Lafond asks, “Where is the truth?”
Jennifer Ceconni Education/Film Consultant ceconni@shaw.ca
