A film about Al-Qaeda soldiers/would-be suicide bombers who await their turn to fulfil a mission, known as a dugma to the jihadists. Among them is the optimism-filled Abu Qusawara from Saudi Arabia who has never met his small daughter, but is determined to keep the promise he made to his father – to press the button, killing as many of the enemy as possible. In turn, radicalized British convert Lucas dwells a lot on religion, identity and his pregnant wife. Through the director’s frank conversations with the young men, the abstract notion of terrorism becomes frighteningly embodied.

In November 2009, Paul Refsdal was shooting a documentary on the Taliban in Afghanistan when he was kidnapped. After spending six days in uncertainty, he converted to Islam, haggled down the ransom amount and called several TV channels and the Norwegian Embassy in search of funds, and was finally freed. Notwithstanding the experience, Refsdal returned to the terrorists to shoot his film.

SCREENINGS / RIGA, CINEMA K.SUNS

WEDNESDAY / SEPTEMBER 7 / 18.00
Dugma. The Button
Opening of the film programme followed by a discussion on the terrorism, with a presence of the director Paul Refsdal

SATURDAY / SEPTEMBER 10 / 13.00
Dugma. The Button
Warriors from the North

SUNDAY / SEPTEMBER 11 / 17.00
Dugma. The Button
Warriors from the North