To me, this movie is perfection.

terrible... so disappointed.

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

I just saw this documentary as part of an event celebrating the 37th anniversary of the passing of the Fair Housing Act. This documentary does a great job at promoting discussion on diversity, what it means to be an American, and demonstrates that discrimination is an issue in our communities. People like to think that discrimination is a problem that was resolved, that we live in more enlightened times, that laws are on the books that ensure fair and equal treatment, that discrimination is not a problem in their community. Unfortunately discrimination and hatred are alive and well. Fortunately there are people and organizations that are ready to defend freedom and a documentary like this shows how a community can respond. One of the points made at the event today was have a plan, don't wait for a crisis to hit your community. Form partnerships and alliances that foster diversity and show that every human life is valued. Be proactive. Please watch this documentary and get others in your community to watch it as well.

I knew it would be thought provoking and controversial, but I wasn't ready for what happened. I've been to Lewiston, I lived there for a summer and I knew many of the people in the film. It's clear that racism hasn't died but, it's painful to see how far we still have to go in this country.Hamzeh has artfully woven both sides of the issue and leads up well to the powerful crescendo. He exposes the ignorance and bigotry still deeply entrenched in our society and the events of the film show how easily they can erupt. What's most hard to believe is that this isn't fiction it really happened and not 40 years ago! My own violent feelings evoked by the events in the film forced me to look at myself and reevaluate how I deal with my own fear when I feel threatened. Anyway.... Just watch it!

The film (the Letter) is an impressive piece of work. A true story, very well put together with a wealth of useful messages and information that has opened a new page in the history of the people in Lewiston, ME.'The letter' shows the beauty of America. Where else would one find this type of life? - Where two opposing sides (bad ones trying to kick out innocent/hard working immigrants who are contributing to the economy of Lewiston, and the good ones putting their lives in the line of fire to show the world a real humane action) came to challenge each other.As a Somali, I am overwhelmed by the sacrifice extended for the well-being and the safety my people enjoy today in Lewiston, Maine. My praise to the good people (supporters) of Lewiston, ME. Praise also to the courageous Somalis who refused to be intimidated by the ignorant hate groups. Praise and special thanks to Mr. Ziad Hamzeh, the filmmaker and his team who had produced this well balanced, informative piece of work. Braaaaaaavoooooo!!!Hamzeh Mystique Film Team – please keep up the good work!

As a child, I grew up hearing stories from my father and grandparents about the hatred and vitriol they experienced as Italian immigrants during World War II, all because of Mussolini. My grandmother was pushed off sidewalks, their windows were broken and property vandalized. Some of us have learned little since that time. Ziad Hamzeh has examines the horrible prejudice still suffered by foreign immigrants, in this case, Somalians, Muslims, who were dumped with almost no aid, services or language training on the town of Lewiston, Maine when the United States left Mogadishu after failing to arrest its warlord, Mohammed Aidid. It is a remarkable film, a testimony to the courage and vision of one Muslin-American, Ziad Hamzeh, who has a long and distinguished career as a theatrical director in Europe and the U.S. Once again, we see the Politics of Disaster in full force: a hasty, hackneyed attempt, ill-planned and disastrously executed, like the incursion into Mogadishu (portrayed in Black Hawk Down) that led to tremendous loss of life, ridicule of American policy, and people thousands of miles away paying a huge price for the folly of a few. Ziad Hamzeh carefully constructs his story to make us feel the extraordinary sense of alienation and pain suffered by the Somali's, the fears and mounting hatred of their hosts and neighbors. It is a study in cultural contrasts, the dark Somali's in their colorful garb, the palest of Main-ites in their blandest of adornments trying to navigate through the small town. In the Era of the Documentary, when audiences are rejecting the mindless, derivative fare of Hollywood in favor of stories about real people living out real drama, The Letter is a true revelation about who we are and what our world has become. Take a pass on The Day After Tomorrow and drop in on a day like today: The Letter should not be missed by anyone who cares about their world or cares about good film making. Bravo, Mr. Hamzeh.