A TIMELY FILM ABOUT THE ROOTS OF TERROR AND THE PRICE OF REVENGE

On 22 October, 2016, a suicide bombing by ISIS, targeting the famed Eaton Centre shopping mall in Toronto, Ontario, was narrowly thwarted, with one suspect killed. Independent sources have estimated the death toll, had the attack succeeded, would have been the highest in a terrorist strike on North American soil since 9/11. For security reasons, the foiled plot has been kept secret… until now.

 

Afreen is the story of that plot.

 

On 22 October, 2014, MICHAEL ZEHAF-BIBEAU, a radicalized Canadian Muslim, shot and killed a sentry at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, subsequently stormed Parliament, and perished in a hail of gunfire. 

Official investigations determined the crazed gunman acted alone.

But did he? Or, worse, had he belonged to a deeper network of organized terror cells embedded in Western society… cells determined to strike even harder?

In late 2015, filmmaker AASHISH CHANANA set out to answer those questions. And as the global bloodbath of 2016 unfolded – with ISIS at the peak of its power and influence – he discovered a chilling connection between Zehaf-Bibeau’s rampage and a thwarted bombing attempt in Toronto two years later to the day – an attack that would have slain hundreds.

 

The resulting film, Afreen, reconstructs that connection – revealing disturbing ISIS activities in the heart of the modern West, showing just how close the people of Toronto came to suffering a 9/11-level catastrophe, and, most importantly, shedding light on the life of the troubled and all-too-human young woman at the very center of the terror plot.

 

At once a moving drama, a breakneck thriller, a gut- wrenching war parable, and a tender love story, Afreen is a film of, and for, our uncertain and tumultuous times.

director

AASHISH CHANANA

I would consider AFREEN one of my most important and difficult projects to date.The film explores the western paranoia over radical Islam while preserving the innocence of the nonviolent Muslims. We’ve tried to show both perspectives without being biased or taking sides. It’s ironic that no one is right, while they aren’t wrong either! But at the end of the day, is war the “end-all?” No…never. The answer lies in communication and there can NOT be any without mutual respect. Tough, but the only solution.”

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what they say

  • My experience with AFREEN was great. It took a solid team to put it together. I enjoyed the whole process.

    Kyle Cheesman - Tareq

  • AFREEN had a very kind cast and friendly atmosphere, which made it possible for me to feel comfortable debuting in this film. I hold the people I worked with close to my heart and cherish the memories of my start in acting with such a hard working crew.

    Samantha Kressevich - Afreen

  • I enjoyed the opportunity to work with such a great cast and crew on this project. This project tested my skills and I am excited to see the final project. I hope everyone enjoys all the hard work put in by all of us.

    Scott Milton - Stunt Coordinator

  • The passing of the torch from one department to the next really added to the excitement and thrill in working on Afreen, and the sense of anticipation fascinated me as the story evolved from one stage to the next. In those last few years, the effort, vision, and tenacity it took to realize this film was authentic and a true personific.

    Meshal Abdullah - Music Composer

  • I continue to be amazed at how seamlessly Aashish’s ambitious vision for AFREEN clicked with my own from the get-go. Story development was an intensive but rewarding collaboration, and the script – in all its incarnations – was a bloody, sweaty, tearful labor of love, in which my passion fed off his, and vice versa. I couldn’t be prouder to be such an integral part of this timely and important motion picture.

    Mike Smith - Screenplay and Dialogue Writer

  • After I read the script I knew this film won’t be about violence, but about love winning over any form of devil. I was amazed by the Director’s approach to showing as much beauty and peace as possible in the whole picture. I am glad I had an opportunity to work on such a difficult subject.

    Katrina Rook-Slawski - Art Director

  • As director of photography for the film AFREEN, the challenges were high and so were the rewards. The dedication I brought to making this film was buoyed by Aashish Chanana’s unending passion to tell this story. It was this passion that motivated a small cast and crew with few tools to tell this story.

    Ed O’Neil (DOP) - Cinematographer

  • Anyone who worked on the film could see that Aashish Chanana was so passionate and driven by this project that he would work day and night to see his vision become a reality. The word “impossible” is not in Aashish’s vocabulary. Working with him on this film has taught me that if you have a dream, go after it. As I work on other projects I often reflect on the time I spent working on AFREEN and realize I can do whatever I put my mind to! Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make this great film a reality.

    Mikaela Colville - Production Manager

  • It was an honor to be involved in a project that focused on a topic that is so thought-provoking and an unfortunate reality in our world. With incredible guidance from our Director, we were able to portray this story with the goal of addressing issues that challenge the fabric of our modern society and to prompt action for positive change. The cast and crew were an absolute pleasure to work with.

    Ashwin Maharaj - Detective Dave Bhatia

  • The entire AFREEN production, from the leadership of a multitalented Director to an enthusiastic and devoted cast and crew, has truly been an unforgettable and rewarding experience. Afreen provides a strong sense of the non-fiction imposed in this erratic world that we live in. Playing the role of Detective Ron Williams, it also reminded me just how hard someone will fight for what they believe is right.

    RICHARD COLE - Detective Ron Williams

  • When I was approached to audition for the role of Christina I knew it was the perfect fit. Christina is a powerful woman in a man’s world, in which Aashish was a motivating and compassionate director. Working with the AFREEN team was inspirational and a great learning experience and has proven the old adage “where there is a will, there is a way.” Congratulations, Aashish on making AFREEN happen and the upcoming screening at Cannes.

    Sarah Hoxie - Detective Christina

  • I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and learned a lot from working on the AFREEN project. I got a little taste of the reality of the movie business which can be chaotic and demanding but it is worth the effort when the script, director, cast and crew are helpful, patient and professional. I particularly enjoyed acting as RAMZI. Even though he wasn’t the main character, he was an integral part of the movie and really challenged me to go against my normal friendly persona. It was definitely a humbling experience as there were actors and directors who although had more experience than I did shared the same passion and dedication to the craft and encouraged everyone, including myself to perform well while enjoying the process.

    Farhan Mohammed - RAMZI