INTERVIEWS
AUG 6, 2020
Eunice Lau Accepts the Call to Tell Powerful Stories
Lau’s visionary, compelling body of work tends to center on social justice, including Through the Fire, which was nominated for Best Short Documentary at AMPAS Student Academy in 2013. Accept the Call, which aired on Independent Lens earlier this year, was supported by ITVS Open Call and the Diversity Development Fund.
JAN 17, 2020
"Human History is Created by People with the Courage to Do The Right Thing": Eunice Lau on Accept the Call
Filmmaker took the opportunity to discuss the thought-provoking doc with Lau prior to her film’s January 20th airdate on PBS’s Independent Lens.
REVIEWS
November 21, 2019
Variety - Naman Ramachandran
EUNICE LAU RETURNS TO SINGAPORE WITH HARD-HITTING DOCMENTARY "ACCEPT THE CALL"
June 20, 2019
Irish Film Critic - Malika Harris
A SOMALI FATHER TRIES TO UNDERSTAND HOW HIS SON BECAME A TERRORIST IN "ACCEPT THE CALL"
"This film is so important and there is so much to learn. Definitely a must-see!”
June 17, 2019
Eye for Film - Amber Wilkinson
ACCEPT THE CALL
"...What Lau discovers is a web of tension, which asks questions both of those within the community looking out and those outside looking in."
June 14, 2019
The New York Times - Adeel Hassan
A VIVID TALE OF FATHER AND SON
"...Their story is a microcosm of how America’s “war on terror” has impacted American Muslims. Not only has it empowered the legal system to over-criminalize those found guilty of supporting terrorist organizations, but it also has fueled the clarion call of the extremists who are luring young minds to their ideology."
June 13, 2019
Criterion Cast - Josh Brunsting
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH FILM FESTIVAL RUNS JUNE 13-20
"...Accept The Call is an increasingly moving portrait that, through its profound intimacy, is able to speak to profound truths about broad issues that have shaped an entire generation of immigrants. It’s a powerful, subtle and moving documentary."
June 13, 2019
Filmmaker Magazine - Lauren Wissot
A Sneak Peek at the 30th Human Rights Watch Film Festival
"... what makes Lau’s film far more fascinating than your average tale of a young Muslim male being “tricked” by law enforcement into committing a crime... is Abdurahman’s objective, surprisingly nuanced view of his son... clear-eyed about the difficult fact that his son was – is? – an ISIS sympathizer. And, much to Abdurahman’s horror, once tried to fly to Syria to fight for the cause."
June 12, 2019
Unseen Films - Steve Kopian
Accept the Call (2019) Human Rights Watch 201
"... I was rocked. ...This film is one of the most important films of the year and a must see."
REBECCA CELLI,
Cargo Film & Releasing
I appreciated the way you portrayed the humanity of all characters with verité sensitivity while letting their complicated circumstances speak to larger issues.
DAN EBERLE,
Actor/Director
This film is very thought-provoking. It shines a light on the reality of being a black kid in America… whichever side you land on, the truth is disconcerting.
ROBERT COSTA,
ENTERTAINMENT FOR A LIVING
"Through inclusive, sensitive, heart-pounding observations on the father's quest for answers, and collecting the teen's and his determined sister's motivations, Lau crafts a powerful statement about unconditional love, and a stirring look at the evil influence of terrorism."