On the Road in America, Baghdad High and Quid Pro Quo

I have been watching the reality show, “On the Road in America” on the Sundance Channel. It follows four young Arabs traveling the United States and documenting their reactions as well as their interactions with the people across the country. It allows the viewer to see what Arabs are like and helps to break our perceptions formed from watching mainstream media. The show does not try to make them out to be perfect models of Arab youth but shows them as humans with positive and negative aspects to their personality. You do see them struggling with their preconceptions about Americans and at times trying to hold on to these preconceptions but ultimately becoming more open. The series ends with the original pilot with a slightly different cast. Next week, the series is being re-aired. It is worth checking out.
Today, I watched two films, one a documentary called “Baghdad High” and a drama, “Quid Pro Quo”. The first film, much like “On the Road in America” gives us an insight into a different culture. This time, four high school boys in Baghdad are given video cameras to document their last year of high school. The four boys are friends in spite of being from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. The boys are Christian, Kurdish, Shia and Sunni. We get a glimpse into their every day struggles trying to get an education while dealing with a war raging around them, with bombs exploding and bullets flying. This is a documentary that should be shown to students here in the United States to give them a view of how fortunate they are.
The second film I watched was first time director Carlos Brooks’ “Quid Pro Quo.” The plot revolves around a radio host who is a paraplegic. He gets a tip about someone bribing a doctor to amputate his leg and while investigating comes upon a subculture of people who are wannabe amputees or paraplegics. The film is a very sensitive portrayal of people with disabilities and their struggles. At the same time, the film is not judgmental of people with psychological issues. The performances by Nick Stahl (In the Bedroom, Carnivale) and Vera Farmiga (The Departed) are excellent, taking you with them into their world.