A timely exploration of one of today’s most divisive and pressing issues – the threat posed by homegrown Islamic extremism and the challenges of detecting and countering it. Directed by Emmy® award-winner Greg Barker (HBO’s Manhunt: The Search for Bin Laden), Homegrown: The Counter-Terror Dilemma is a gripping, insider’s account of the homegrown terrorist threat in America, told from the perspectives of those who helped construct America’s counter-terrorism machine – as well as those who are its targets.
Homegrown: The Counter-Terror Dilemmais inspired by the nonfiction book “United States of Jihad:” by Peter Bergen, who also wrote “Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden – from 9/11 to Abbottabad,” which was the basis for Barker’s Manhunt. Bergen is a print and television journalist who conducted Osama Bin Laden’s first TV interview in 1997, in which he declared war against the United States.
A former war correspondent, director Greg Barker’s previous films include HBO’s Manhunt, which won a 2013 Emmy® Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, as well asKoran by Heart and the Emmy® nominated Sergio.
“Homegrown” airs on February 8th.
HBO to Debut Documentary HOMEGROWN: THE COUNTER-TERROR DILEMMA, 2/8
Terrorism made front-page headlines again in late 2015, due to events in Paris and San Bernardino, Cal. Both incidents were linked to extremists who pledged ALLEGIANCE to ISIS, and proved just how difficult it is for counter-terrorist agencies to avert such threats in advance.
Directed by Greg Barker (HBO’s Emmy®-winning “Manhunt”) and based on the upcoming book “United States of Jihad: Investigating America’s Homegrown Terrorists,” by Peter Bergen, HOMEGROWN: THE COUNTER-TERROR DILEMMA is a gripping insider’s account of the homegrown terrorist threat in America, told from the perspectives of those who helped construct our counter-terrorism machine – as well as those who are its targets. The timely film debuts MONDAY, FEB. 8 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.
Other HBO playdates: Feb. 8 (4:00 a.m.), 9 (10:50 a.m.), 11 (4:20 p.m.), 14 (10:20 a.m.), 16 (2:00 p.m.) and 20 (3:45 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Feb. 10 (8:30 p.m.), 13 (1:45 p.m.), 17 (9:30 a.m., 12:05 a.m.) and 21 (7:40 a.m.)
The documentary will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO On Demand.
HOMEGROWN: THE COUNTER-TERROR DILEMMA explores the real and perceived threat of homegrown Islamic extremism through firsthand accounts from those on the front lines of this battle, including family members of convicted terrorists, those trying to dissuade young people from embracing extremism, Muslim Americans facing fear and SUSPICION in their communities, and victims of terrorist attacks. The documentary also features insights from counter-terrorism officials, experts and prosecutors who worked homegrown terrorist cases.
Among the questions the film raises: How big is the threat, and how effective have the efforts of U.S. counter-terrorism agencies been in combatting homegrown terrorism? What are the unintended consequences of these efforts? What freedoms and values are sacrificed in the effort to track down established and nascent extremists?
“Why is it that, ten years on, more than a decade after 9/11, American citizens are signing up for an Al Qaeda group or an Al Qaeda ideology?” asks Peter Bergen. “That is a big puzzle.” Top Justice Department officials face the daunting challenge of identifying would-be terrorists and preventing acts of terrorist violence on American soil, while respecting the constitutional rights and privacy of American citizens.
Andrew Liepman, former deputy director of the National Counterterrorism Center, explains, “[After 9/11] our job in counterterrorism wasn’t to minimize the likelihood of an attack- it was to eliminate the likelihood of an attack.”
