Four Lions (2010) is a British black comedy that satirizes homegrown terrorism. It follows four bungling Muslim men from Sheffield who aspire to become suicide bombers. The film explores their misguided attempts to plan and execute a terrorist attack in the UK, highlighting their ineptitude, internal conflicts and often absurd decision-making.
Omar (Riz Ahmed), the group's leader, is deeply critical of Western society and dreams of making a violent public statement. His cousin Waj (Kayvan Novak) is easily influenced and eager to please, while Barry (Nigel Lindsay) is a recent convert with a short temper and rash decision-making. Faisal (Adeel Akhtar), the group's bomb maker, is naive and often misunderstands instructions. The quartet's plans are consistently thwarted by their own incompetence and internal conflicts. As their objectives evolve, they bicker over targets and methods, often stymied by internal division. Ultimately, their planned attack on the London Marathon goes awry, resulting in a series of chaotic and darkly comedic events.
Co-written and directed by British filmmaker Christopher Morris, Four Lions adroitly employs humor to critique extremism and raise questions about radicalization. While focusing on the flawed personalities and relationships of the four central characters, Morris crafts a modern examination of religious extremism, cultural identity and the consequences of violence. Sparking controversy upon release in 2010, it is a film notable for its sharp writing and thought-provoking humor, while serving as an entirely unique perspective on a highly sensitive topic.
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