Open call for local Somalis for Tom Hanks movie is generating excitement and worry - Bring Me The News

Open call for local Somalis for Tom Hanks movie is generating excitement and worry

A film based on a true story about an American ship captain held hostage by Somali pirates is generating a lot of emotions in the Twin Cities, where producers are putting out an open call for actors. Some see it as a rare opportunity, but many worry it will misrepresent Somalis and distort a very complex issue.

Author:: BMTN Staff
Publish date:: Nov 4, 2011

A film based on a true story about an American ship captain held hostage by Somali pirates is generating a lot of emotions in the Twin Cities, where producers are putting out an open call for actors. Some see it as a rare opportunity, but many worry it will misrepresent Somalis and distort a very complex issue.

DONTCHA KNOW?

BMTN Newsletters Deliver The Biggest MN Stories

Get Our Newsletter

Spooky Spotify commercial

Music and Radio

Spotify was ruled to make sure it doesn't play in front of kids.

1024px-White-tailed_deer

Six deer died in Goodhue County.

Jayme Closs

Denise and James Closs' deaths have been ruled as homicides.

Eddie Bauer baby carrier recall

The buckles can break, posing a safety risk to babies.

Jana Shortal

Shortal was bullied by a Bachman's employee.

Keith Ellison

The Ellisons tried to block its release, citing privacy concerns.

1024px-Minnesota_NORML_—_Don't_Hate,_Educate,_Legalize_-_Twin_Cities_Pride_Parade_(9179211415)

Canada is just the 2nd nation to approve a nationwide regulated pot market.

mn reps

It follows an assault on a GOP candidate on Friday.

Screen Shot 2018-01-12 at 6.38.14 AM

It follows an attack ad that ran last week.

Minnetonka police

Excelsior Blvd. is closed at Fairview Ave. until about 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Fall colors

Highs will approach 70 on Thursday.

Istock OK TO REUSE A student trying to cheat on the exams

Minnesota is first in the U.S. among states where over 90 percent of students take the test.

Dozens tried out Saturday in Minneapolis for a chance to be in an upcoming Tom Hanks movie. Casting agents were looking for African-born people for Hanks' film about a U.S. captain's encounter with Somali pirates.

Lifetime Fitness is sponsoring a triathlon at Lake Nokomis on Saturday, and one Twin Cities family will have three generations participating in it – six family members ages 13 to 70.

Kasey and Kati Stewart of Afton have traveled across North America competing in rodeos. This weekend they'll get to take part in one at home. They'll compete in the barrel racing at the World's Toughest Rodeo in St. Paul.

A lawyer for Ahmed Hussein Mahamud says a plea agreement is in the works. Mahamud is among 20 people who have been charged with helping the Somali terrorist group al-Shabaab.

While a discrimination case against a Le Center food manufacturing plant is just getting started, another state agency is trying to determine whether the estimated 40 Somali workers who claim discrimination led to their departure from the business are eligible for unemployment benefits.

"Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship" features a collection of artifacts that divers recovered from an authentic pirate ship that sank in a storm in 1717.

A Somali restaurateur is showing support for the Sikh community following the recent, deadly shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. Abdirahman Ahmed, a Muslim, has invited Sikh leaders to a private dinner Wednesday at his Safari Restaurant. Ahmed said the dinner is to show "solidarity and condolences," and added, "Any crime against any person is a crime against all of us."

Taped phone calls are prosecutors' key evidence in the trial of two Minnesota women accused of funneling money to a Somali terrorist group. Some Somalis say use of the wire taps has set back efforts to build trust between government authorities and the community.