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The Imperialists are Still Alive

About the Film
Year Released: 
2010
Running Time: 
90
Documentary/Fiction: 
Fiction
Synopsis: 

A successful visual artist working in post-9/11 Manhattan, Asya lives the life of the hip and glamorous, replete with exclusive art parties, supermodels, and stretch limousines, while she carefully follows the situation in the Middle East on television. Out partying one night, Asya learns that her childhood friend, Faisal, has disappeared—the victim of a purported CIA abduction. That same night, she meets Javier, a sexy Mexican PhD student, and romance blossoms. Javier finds Asya’s conspiracy theories overly paranoid—but nothing in Asya’s world is as it seems.

Zeina Durra’s atmospheric debut feature is a splendidly alluring and intelligent look at the way the war on terror seeps into the texture of everyday American life. Gorgeous 16 mm grain imbues the film with an anachronistic feel that interestingly evokes times past. The Imperialists Are Still Alive! is an exceptional work and heralds the arrival of Durra as an exciting new directorial talent.

— Shari Frilot
Poster Image: 
Director
Film Director: 
Production Info
Reported or Estimated Budget: 
1588
Location: 
Manhattan, NY
Other Interesting Production Info: 
Shot in 23 days.
Categories About the Film
Genre: 
comedy
drama
period drama
romance
Keywords: 
activism and social justice
immigration
interracial relations
state violence and security
urban life
Racial/Ethnic Affiliation: 
Arab American
Asian-American
Chicano/a
Latino/a
Mexican
Middle East
Filmmaking Team
Writer's Name: 
Zeina Durra
Producer: 
Vanessa Hope
Cinematographer: 
Magela Crosignani
Primary Cast: 
Elodie Bouchez, Jose Maria de Tavira, Karim Saleh, Karolina Mueller
Exhibition/Distribution Info
Distributor: 
Film1, Sundance Channel, Sundance Selects
Box Office Earnings: 
$5874
Where to find it/How to get it: 
Streaming (Netflix or other online sites)
Festivals/Awards: 
  • Premiered / Nominated for Grand Jury Price at Sundance (2010)
  • Won Best First Feature at the Warsaw Film Festival
  • Brussels Film Festival
  • Transylvania Film Festival
  • Houston Palestine Film Festival (05/21/11)
  • Glasgow International Film Festival (02/19/11)
  • Birds Eye View Film Festival in London (03/12/11)
  • Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece (12/9-10/10)
  • Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia
  • Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico (10/21/10)
  • Deauville American Film Festival in France (09/9/10)
  • Woodstock Film Festival USA (10/1-3/10)