An Eye for an Eye (2016 film)

An Eye for an Eye
Directed by	Ilan Ziv
Written by	Ilan Ziv Paul Cadieux
Produced by	Paul Cadieux
Production company	Filmoption International
Release date	October 28, 2016 (2016-10-28)
Running time	120 minutes
Countries	United States Canada
Language	English

An Eye for an Eye is a 2016 documentary film directed by filmmaker Ilan Ziv. It features Mark Anthony Stroman, Rais Bhuiyan and Ilan Ziv. The film is a chronicle of Stroman's path from revenge killer to being forgiven by a victim as he waits on Texas's Death Row. The film opened on October 28, 2016 in the United States and Canada.

Plot[]

In the weeks following the September 11 attacks, dozens of attacks against Muslims, Sikhs and other minorities were reported across America. Among the perpetrators was Mark Anthony Stroman, who began "hunting Arabs," as he described his nightly prowling. His target was on people who he believed were Muslim who came from the Middle East. He killed two and partially blinded a young man—all immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Luckily, he was arrested before he fell through with his plan to massacre dozens of Muslim worshipers at a local Dallas Mosque. On April 5, 2002, Stroman was convicted and sentenced to Death.

In the weeks before in impending execution, his only surviving victim became his biggest advocate – Rais Bhuiyan, a devout and recently half-blind Muslim. He began a campaign to spare Mark's life in the name of Islam and its notion of mercy, becoming one of the most vocal campaigners against Stroman's execution.

The Press at the time labeled this as the first post 9/11 hate crimes and even Stroman himself stated that "blinded by rage", he killed to avenge the United States of America.^[1]

With in-depth interviews, the film follows Stroman's story through to his execution. Central to the film is the bond that developed between Stroman and the Israeli-born filmmaker Ilan Ziv.

Reviews[]

As of June 2020, the film has a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on seven reviews with an average rating of 6.5/10.^[2] Film Journal International states, "An Eye for an Eye, tough to take as it is -- with nigh unbearable-to-listen-to audiotapes of the murder being committed -- turns out to be one of the most searingly honest and moving depictions of redemption and the power of forgiveness ever made.^[3] The Hollywood Reporter says, "as our encounters with him continue, it becomes clearer that Stroman -- whose early life is nearly guaranteed problems ahead -- evolved dramatically behind bars, and that his remorse for his crimes is sincere".^[4] The Los Angeles Times says, "the rehabilitative power of forgiveness [throughout the film] is thought-provokingly explored".^[5] The Globe and Mail from Toronto says it was "a well-layered film" that makes "a fascinating case for forgiveness and a sharp rebuke of Bible-taught eye-for-an-eye revenge".^[6]

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• An Eye for an Eye at IMDb

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