The Infidel

Bursting with humour, The Infidel, tells the journey of Mahmud Nasir, an overweight, moderate Muslim and loving father, who suffers an identity crisis following his mother’s death. Mahmud is married to Saamiya, and has a one son, Rashid, and a young daughter who constantly waves around a sword shouting “jihad” and “death to the infidels”. Islam has always been a very important part of Mahmud’s life, but he occasionally drinks and loves rock music, particularly Gary Page’s song “Close My Eyes”. Rashid tells his father about his plans to marry Uzma, but once Mahmud realizes that Uzma’s father is the extremist Muslim named Arshal al-Masri, Mahmud refuses to allow his son to marry Uzma.

“Look at this. I wrote a letter to the newspaper once explaining why people like us need to stand up to wahabi Nazism, your would be dad-in-law.”
“Give me one thing to make me less calm than inviting Arshad Al-fucking Stalin into my family.”

While cleaning his deceased mother’s house, Mahmud comes across a file that contains his adoption certificate, and discovers that his birth name was Solly Shimshillewitz. The document further reveals that his birth parents were Jewish. Mahmud’s life changes, as he has always thought of himself as a Muslim, but once he discovers that he is Jewish by blood, he seeks the help of the drunkard Jewish cab driver, Leonard Goldberg. Lenny teaches Mahmud about Judaism- traditional dances, Yiddish sayings, and food; however, he does not teach Mahmud about the scriptures.

Trying to locate his birth parents, Mahmud discovers that his biological father, a Rabbi, lives in a Jewish nursing home. A Rabbi who guards Mr. Shimshillewitz’ room tells Mahmud that in order to meet his father, he must learn the basic tenets of the Jewish scriptures such as the Shama and the 5 Books of Moses.

Meanwhile, Mahmud has decided to pretend to be a very devout Muslim so as to impress Uzma’s father for the sake of Rashid’s marriage. At an anti-Israeli demonstration, Mahmud’s kufi falls off to reveal to a kipa inscribed with the Jewish star. Everyone stares at Mahmud in shock. Mahmud quickly takes the kipa, throws it on the ground and burns it while simultaneously shouting anti-Semitic epithets. He doesn’t do this because he is anti-Semitic. He burns the kipa to protect himself, and to prevent fellow Muslims from discovering his Jewish identity.

When Arshad al-Asri, his two mignons, his daughter and his wife meet the Nasris in their home, things quickly take a turn for the worse. Arshad rejects the notion of moderate Islam, and praises Mahmud for his newfound radicalism, as shown by is burning of the kipa.
“Moderation is of course a good thing in moderation. But, this western idea of the “moderate” muslim, that idea I COMPLETELY REJECT. But then, I saw how you had changed.”

After Rashid and Uzma receive Arshad’s blessing for their marriage, the police arrive at the Nasri home accusing Mahmud of violating the Religious Hatred Act. Mahmud, shocked by this news and in trying to avoid his arrest, reveals his Jewish identity. Arshad immediately takes his family and his mignons and leaves the Nasri home. Mahmud’s family leaves him because of his dishonesty. He begs for their forgiveness, but they, specifically Rashid, will not forgive him. Heartbroken, Mahmud returns to the Jewish nursing home to finally meet his father, who, Mahmud learns, died earlier that morning.

Mahmud is left without a father and a family, and so he attends one of Arshad’s rallies where he exposes Arshad’s real identity. Mahmud delivers a PowerPoint presentation, which proves that Arshad al-Asri is Gary Page. Arshad runs out of the auditorium, smirking at Mahmud for his discovery. The film concludes with celebrations of Rashid and Uzma’s marriage, where a woman in a burka break dances to Bollywood music.

Lenny: Am I Muslim enough for ya?
Mahmud: Actually wasn’t that bad ya know? I quite enjoyed it. Being a Jew (points to his nose).
Lenny: What was that?
Mahmud: What was what?
Lenny: You did a…you did a big nose gesture when you said “Jew”.
Mahmud: I did not!!!
Lenny: You did too!
Mahmud: I know, I was just doing a…it’s a friendly wave.
Lenny: Who are you waving at?
Mahmud: What?
Lenny: Who are you waving at?
Mahmud: I was waving at you! Hey!
Lenny: You haven’t learned a thing. You did the big nose, mi-mime. The snozzle mime. That’s what you did.
Mahmud: It’s all anti-Semitism with Jews, you know that? I do a wave at you, I’m Hitler! I invite you to my son’s wedding and what do you do?
Lenny: You know if you’re going to be anti-Semitic at least stop sounding so Jewish.
Mahmud: Ha! There you again!
Lenny: What?
Mahmud: What is it with you people?
Lenny: You are “you people”! That’s why you have a big nose!
Mahmud: There’s nature and there’s nurture. This nose big, yes, but it was made in Pakistan. It’s not Jewish.
Lenny: You know, yeah. That’s right it was made in Pakistan. It’s not Jewish because it doesn’t have enough suffering to be a real Jewish nose.
Mahmud: You’re very racist, you know that?
Lenny: We don’t even know if you’re Izzy’s son!
Mahmud: Let me, let me tell you something- your Cockney accent is SHITE!




The Infidel (2010)
Comedy/Drama
105 Minutes
Cast:
Mahmud Nasir- Omid Djalili
Saamiya Nasir- Archie Panjabi
Rashid Nasir- Amit Shah
Lenny Goldberg- Richard Schiff

Director: Josh Appignanesi
Writer: David Badiel