Threadbare

Running Time:
40 minutes

Date of Production:
August 2007

Writer, Director, Producer:
Arshad Khan

Editor:
Oliver Millar

ABOUT THE FILM

"Threadbare" epitomizes the power of digital media as it relates to freedom of expression and democracy. Arshad Khan, a concerned citizen, takes matters into his own hands when he realizes that the Media have remained silent regarding the atrocities carried out in Canada in the name of "National Security".

Using his own narrative, Khan takes us back to the summer of 2003, when 23 Pakistani and one Indian man were arrested by Canadian Police and Immigration under “Project Thread”-a purported anti-terror investigation. The charges crumbled under scrutiny and the men were quietly deported. “Threadbare” tells the story of how these seemingly harmless and unremarkable men spent two to five months in a maximum-security prison outside of Toronto and became the focus of Canada's notorious post-9/11 terror case.

“Threadbare” examines the idea of "security" and "citizenship" in a first world democracy in the Post-9/11 World order. The film goes beyond arbitrary detentions of innocents. It dares to offer insights into reasons for such hysteria and fear mongering. Khan leaves no avenues unexplored. In “Threadbare” he challenges the status quo and demands accountability not only from the Canadian authorities in general, but from the Muslim community in particular.

Filmmaker Richard Fung regarding "Threadbare".

"(Threadbare is) an incredible achievement for a first film, especially from someone with little or no training, and little financial help. There are technical problems with (Arshad's) initial lack of familiarity with the medium, namely around shooting conventions; however, in a film like this those technical elements become far less important than the urgency of the story and the "heart" of the film, both of which are very strong. (Arshad's) editor did a great job of keeping the story moving and focused".

Filmmaker Peter Wintonick regarding "Threadbare".

"To date "Threadbare" is the only antiwar Canadian film that deals directly with Canada's "War on Terror" and makes the connections needed."