Going to Sundance
Marlene and I went to Park City for Sundance last Friday. Specifically to see (T)ERROR — Lyric R. Cabral and David Felix Sutcliffe’s documentary which followed an FBI informant as he ran a sting operation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Marlene and Lyric met in the fall of 2010 during the Newburgh Four trial in NYC. It was during Ramadan, the most holy of months for Muslims. We had all gone to a Chinese restaurant during a break in the trial. Marlene and Lyric started talking after Marlene had mentioned that she was Tarik Shah’s mother.
Turns out, Lyric knew Saeed, the FBI informant used in Tarik’s case — and had known him for years. She had listened to his stories about being undercover, but, the stories were so fantastic, she did not know whether to believe them or not. Until she met Marlene. It was then Lyric realized the crazy stories Saeed had told her were true.
That chance meeting has resulted in one of the most disturbing movies I have ever seen.
Saturday, January 24 was Tarik Shah’s birthday. (T)ERROR, the movie that came about from the meeting between Marlene and Lyric, premiered at Sundance the same day. Lyric and David invited Marlene to come to the premier of the film, and I got to tag along.
Lyric and David were fabulous hosts. They picked us up at our motel, and brought us to their rented condo. We hung out while they made their final preparations for the opening. We met many of the other people who worked on the movie. Around five o’clock, we piled back in the car for the two minute drive to the Yarrow Theater, where the premier was to be held.
At the theater, we were escorted to the “Green Room.” The Green Room had a red and white backdrop with Sundance and the Sundance sponsors written on it. There were comfy chairs, coffee and tea, and Sundance water bottles (we each took one as a souvenir). Marlene and I sat on the couch, while one of the women in charge organized all
of us.
Many, many photos were taken against the backdrop. Photos of Lyric, photos of David, photos of Lyric and David, and individual and group photos of all the people who had worked on the film. Many photos were taken of Marlene.
Marlene had brought with her a beautiful patch-work leather purse. Tarik, who is in serving his 15 years, had made it for her in prison. Marlene posed with the purse.
Eventually, everyone in the room even remotely associated with the film was asked to come up and be in a photo. So, even I was in one of the photos.
After all the photos were taken, it was now time for us to go to the theater. As the show was sold out, it was extremely important not to lose the ticket!
Lyric wanted to use the movie as an occasion to teach people about Tarik’s case. Jeanne Finley and I had prepared a hand-out for the event which included a summary of Tarik’s case, “Tarik’s Story” written by Tarik himself, and a list of references if people wanted more information. I had 300 copies printed at the local copy shop to hand out to the movie-goers after the movie. I also brought with me a printed petition in support of Tarik’s request for commutation of his sentence.
Akil was assigned to help me. We brought the handouts, petitions and Wil’s Wall into the hallway outside the theater. (Wil’s Wall is the Project SALAM display which lists the names of about 150 people who were targeted, arrested and imprisoned because of their beliefs). The plan was to put up the wall at the exit doors, give people handouts and ask people to sign the petition.
We were ready - time to go into the theater. The lights went down, the movie came on. The movie begins with a blank screen and talking — the informant talking. Eventually, images appear on the screen and we see the informant, Saeed.
I found the movie to be deeply, deeply disturbing. Eventually, even Saeed says that the “POI” - “Person of Interest” he is trying to befriend is no threat.
Of course, a lot of us in Albany already know the ending of the movie, but, I will not spoil it for others. Suffice it to say, the movie has some dramatic and unexpected turns. It also has humorous moments — mostly from things Saeed says.
Though out the movie, in the background, is the ever-present FBI, making an appearance only through text messages sent back and forth between the FBI and Saeed. And yes, all the text messages are true.
There is a quick clip in the film of Marlene walking with Wil Downs. Among the many, many things she did in her life to promote justice, Wil sewed the Project SALAM wall of names together. Will passed away last month — she may have left us, but, her presence is still with us.
At the end of the movie, the filmmakers Lyric and David held a Q&A. Akil and I slipped out of the theater to setup Wil’s Wall and get the petitions ready.
Once we were ready, we came back in the theater in time to hear Marlene speak. She gave a beautiful and frank speech, which brought home the injustice of what was done to her son.
Once the Q&A was over, people piled out of the theater. Akil and I collected signatures and distributed fliers.
Some people came and spoke to Marlene, and expressed their sadness at what she and her imprisoned son are experiencing.
Afterwards, Lyric and David took out all of us and the entire film crew to a delicious Italian restaurant.
The next day, we packed and went back to Albany. I am really glad we went. It was so important for Marlene to speak for those few minutes to the audience at Sundance.