The Infidel tells the story of Mahmud Nasir, played by Omid Djalili. Mahmud is a loving husband and father, and somewhat of a “relaxed” Muslim living in the United Kingdom. Although Mahmud isn’t the most observant Muslim, deep down, he is as Muslim as it gets. However, Mahmud’s life is turned upside-down upon learning after his mother’s passing that not only was he adopted, he isn’t even Muslim. His real name is Solly Shimshillewitz. That’s right, Mahmud is a Jew. The discovery leads to a full scale identity crisis and the only person he can turn to is his friend Lenny, a drunken Jewish taxi driver. Lenny agrees to give him lessons in “Jewishness”, from dancing, to dressing, to everything else in between.
This body-swap movie has everything you would expect in a Muslim-Jewish comedy. The film tackles all of the stereotypes of both cultures, including Mahmud’s son falling for the daughter of a fundamentalist, and lessons on the correct way to say “oy”. However beyond the over-the-top satire aspect to the film lies the everyday reality of many of British-Muslim families struggling to be perceived as “normal”.
On the film’s official website, the film’s writer David Baddiel discusses the three reasons why he wrote the film. First, he has always been a fan of “life-swap” comedies such as Trading Places; it offers a unique opportunity to observe human nature when people walk in someone else’s shoes. The second reason was because religion and race are too often taboo subjects. People are especially afraid to discuss issues surrounding Muslims and Jews. Baddiel believes that when people are terrified, what they really should do is laugh! The final reason was his love for Omid Djalili.
Baddiel hopes viewers recognize that underneath the comedy, lies the central message of mutual understanding and respect. However, according to Baddiel, The Infidel is not designed to promote interfaith dialogue. Rather, it is a buddy movie that comes from a place of affection.
I am personally very saddened that living in Canada, I will not have an opportunity to see this film in theaters. Although Baddiel says that the film is not about interfaith dialogue, I am sure it will spark some very deep cross-cultural conversations. What’s great about films like The Infidel is that they break down the walls of political correctness, and forces people not to take themselves so seriously. There’s no denying that there are some serious problems in the world. But every once in a while, it’s good to laugh it off!
The film is playing in theaters across the United Kingdom as of today (April 9, 2010).
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