Obsession by Wayne Kopping

FILM REVIEW: OBSESSION

Edited and Directed by Wayne Kopping

Produced by Raphael Shore

Select Screening at Killarney Mall, Gauteng

Wayne Kopping is no stranger to the South African media, especially MNET. He is probably best remembered as a KTV presenter in the days of old, but the passage of time has allowed this talented young man to pursue his avid interest in film and media and he has come up with another thought provoking documentary, entitled Obsession: Radical Islam's war against the West. His first effort was entitled: Relentless: the Struggle for peace in Israel.

The former documentary is exceptionally graphic and frightening. A few points are worthy of mentioning regarding Obsession: it's not in any way an indictment of the religion of Islam, nor is it a public smear campaign against those cherishing the Islamic faith. What it is however, is a bulls eye on the radical elements of Islam. It showcases those who have hi-jacked Islam for their own savage reasons.

This documentary is in effect a behind the scenes expose of the dangers of radicalism and fundamentalism. It goes to great lengths to stress that Muslims are not the enemy. It seeks to promote tolerance and awareness by fostering an atmosphere of goodwill between the peace-loving Muslims of the world and Western society. The dangers of indoctrination, where radical clerics preach for the destruction of the infidels; call for the destruction of the State of Israel and all things non-Islamic, are explored in harrowing detail.

The graphic nature of the documentary left the entire audience feeling uneasy. The demonisation of the great Satan 'America' took centre stage, as did calls for the elimination of the State of Israel. In essence it was the other side of what the media doesn't want to report; the side that exposes extremism for the real threat it poses to the world at large.

We must constantly bear in mind that Islam is being hi-jacked by certain elements, hell-bent on destruction. This is not reflective of the views of the overwhelmingly peace-loving Muslims, but only of the vociferous few, comprising an estimated ten to fifteen percent who call for the annihilation of all things Western.

I must re-iterate that this has been the most thought-provoking documentary I have ever seen; it is in a word - terrifying.

I managed to speak to Wayne Kopping after the screening and he has alluded that certain media entities have expressed an interest in screening the documentary. The problem is that the censorship board in South Africa may not be ready for national screening of this documentary.

This is certainly essential viewing for anyone who seeks to remain an informed member of the global society.