By: Ray Hanania

Chicago welcomed the premiere last week of the new movie short “Chicago Mirage,” the story of an Arab dentist who was arrested after Sept. 11, 2001 and released after serving ten years in prison to contemplate a choice between pursuing a life of crime or using his influence to help his community. The film was the brainchild of Nemer Ziyad, owner of Ziyad Brothers Importing in Cicero, who with the help of boxing promoter Wasfi Tolaymat raised more than $55,000 to shoot and produce the 35 minute drama. The film is timely as it comes only two months before the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.

Ziyad and Tolaymat were among the many local actors who played characters in the film which told the story of a successful Arab dentist and community leader who was dragged out of his dentist office in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorism because of his Arab heritage. Sent to prison in Joliet, Dr. Mustapha Mussa, played by Sayed Badreya, was confronted by a drug dealer who threatened to kill him as an act of patriotism. But in prison, Mussa killed the drug dealer and established his reputation as a tough guy whose name became the symbol of tough power in the community.

After serving ten years, Mussa is released to his wife and now 10-year old son, who was born while he began his prison sentence. The drama takes the audience through the nightmare memories of prison life, the challenges of returning to a wife and son he had never seen, and a community which pulled at him from both sides.

The film premiere drew more than 800 people from Chicago’s American Arab community, including former State Senator Jim DeLeo, now a partner in a new Chicago movie production endeavor with a Toronto movie company that purchased the long abandoned 50 acre Ryerson Steel plant in Chicago. Ziyad told the audience after the showing of the film that he and Tolaymat, along with Badreya, would try to produce a full length film to be shot in Chicago and the Middle East.

“This is just the beginning. We’re going to tell the story of American Arabs in a dramatic way that appeals to all audiences,” said Ziyad, who played a community leader who offered the released convict, Mustapha, a chance to work towards the betterment of the American Arab community. Ziyad was joined by local actor Merik Tadros, who plays his son. The two offered a believable performance as community leaders urging Mustapha to turn away from crime. Tolaymat played one of the region’s toughest and most successful drug dealers, who also offered Mustapha a partnership to expand the business. Tolaymat, who owns the prestigious Chicago Fight Clubs Promotion LLC with his wife, Cynthia, offered a phenomenal acting performance as the smart underworld crime lord.

The film was shot in various locations throughout Chicago including at the al-Bawadi Restaurant in Bridgeview, alHambra Palace in the Chicago’s West Loop, and in the home of local doctor whose son Charles Zayad played the 10-year old boy that Mustapha had not seen. Holanda Demeliotz played Mustapha’s wife. “We had a lot of fun making the movie and I know this will help us open the door to possibly making a full length Hollywood film,” said Tolaymat after the showing.