“Stranger at the Gate” tells a story of hope and redemption set in Muncie. After 25 years of service, U.S. Marine Mac McKinney returns home to Indiana filled with an all-consuming rage toward the people he had been fighting against. Still fueled by his desire to fight for his country, he plans to bomb the local mosque. But when he comes face to face with the community of Afghan refugees and others of Muslim faith that he seeks to kill, his plan takes an unexpected turn.
Directed and produced by Joshua Seftel, and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Indy Shorts International Film Festival, and a Special Jury Mention for Best Documentary Short at the Tribeca Festival among other awards.
The film is 30 minutes long and includes images of explosions, and descriptions of violence and hate toward Muslims.
Dr. Matthew Hotham, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, will facilitate a panel discussion afterwards which will include Bibi Bahrami and Richard McKinney, both featured in the film, as well as Joshua Seftel, the director.
This is a Reel Inclusion/Friday Night Filmworks screening, held as part of Unity Week events, and co-sponsored by the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies.