A father seeks to understand why his son is accused of terrorism, as they journey to repair their relationship after breaking each other's hearts.
Twenty-five years after Yusuf Abdurahman left Somalia as a refugee to begin his life anew in Minnesota — which has the largest population of Somalis in the United States — his worst fear is realized when his 19-year-old-son Zacharia is arrested in an FBI counterterrorism sting operation.
Through the eyes of an anguished father desperate to understand why his young son would leave his American life behind to attempt to join the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria, Accept the Call vividly explores racism and prejudice against immigrants, the rise of targeted recruitment by radicalized groups, and the struggles of Muslim youth growing up in the US today. This intimate film captures the story of a father and son attempting to mend their relationship, after breaking each other’s hearts, showing how a parent’s worry for their children is a universal predisposition.
Winner of the NYWIFT Award for Excellence in Documentary Directing at the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival for her latest film TROLL STORM, Eunice is a former journalist whose works have appeared on Discovery Channel and Al Jazeera. She is supported by eminent arts organizations such as Film Independent, Jerome Foundation, Tribeca Film Institute, Chicken & Egg Pictures and is featured in publications The New York Times, Variety, and Filmmaker Magazine. As a descendant of immigrants displaced by conflict, Eunice is drawn to stories about the journey of migrants and it is reflected in her body of work. Her debut documentary ACCEPT THE CALL set in Minnesota’s Somali community explores the impact of injustice and intergenerational trauma. It aired on PBS Independent Lens after screening at acclaimed film festivals. Her second documentary film A-TOWN BOYZ set in the Asian American community in Atlanta, explores identity, belonging and migration. It is streaming on Amazon after premiering at the 2023 New York Asian Film Festival. She is currently working on two TV series, including a comedy drama inspired by A-TOWN BOYZ is which is selected for the Film Independent Episodic Lab. A MFA film graduate of New York University, she lives in New York City.
Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2019
Woodstock Film Festival 2019
Singapore International Film Festival 2019
Coven Film Festival 2020
PBS: Independent Lens series (2020 - present, on Television and Online)
Coven Film Festival 2020 - Audience Award
Film Editor - Yasu Inoue
Cinematographer - Mike Shum, Hiroo Takaoka
Music Composer - Osei Essed
Re-recording mixer - Matt Rocker
