Breaking News: Hamzeh Mystique Films' "The Letter" Wins Best Documentary at The 2004 Boston International Film Festival

Hamzeh Mystique Films' critically acclaimed feature-length documentary "The Letter" wins the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary at The 2004 Boston International Film Festival.

(PRWEB) July 6, 2004 -- Hamzeh Mystique Films' critically acclaimed feature-length documentary "The Letter" continues to generate momentum and acclaim, winning the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary at The 2004 Boston International Film Festival.

Written and directed by Ziad Hamzeh, "The Letter"chronicles the turmoil predominately white Lewiston, Maine faces when 1,100 former Somali refugees relocate there en-masse in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy -- referred to as the Somali invasion" by the international news media.

"The Letter": A firestorm of controversy erupts when Lewiston mayor Larry Raymond sends an open letter to the newly arrived Somali community asking them to tell friends and family not to move into the city. The conflict escalates into competing hate" and peace" rallies held simultaneously and separated by only a few miles. The hate" rally staged by Reverend Matt Hales World Church of the Creator, a white separatist group, and a peace" rally organized by the Many & One Coalition, a local community group, necessitates the largest police action in Maines history to ensure the safety of the citys residents.

Premiering at The 2003 AFI Film Festival, "The Letter" was chosen as the Opening Night film at The 2004 Amnesty International Film Festival, was nominated as Best Documentary at The 2004 Pan-African Film Festival, was featured on NPR's "Here and Now", is praised by The Southern Poverty Law Center and Tolerance.org, and is an official selection of The 2004 Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival, The 2004 Maine International Film Festival, and The 2004 Newport Beach Film Festival.

"The Letter" Official Website: www.hamzehmystiquefilms.com/theletter

For more information, contact Bert Brown at bert@hamzehmystiquefilms.com or 860-434-0309

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