One good deed deserves ... something better than this guy

If learning about other cultures shows that we're all basically alike, "Operation Filmmaker" is a reminder that foreign countries have their own share of nitwits, too.

Meet Muthana Mohmed, a film student who gets a big act of kindness inflicted on him when actor Liev Schreiber sees the young Shiite on an MTV documentary after the fall of Baghdad in 2003. Schreiber has the grateful Mohmed flown to Prague to work as a production assistant on a movie he's directing, "Everything is Illuminated," and it's Nina Davenport's job to document the inspiring tale of kindness, sharing, hugs and the like.

It begins as a snapshot of Hollywood absurdity and the cluelessness of elite liberalism. Fresh from the horrors of Baghdad, the would-be filmmaker finds himself nothing but a gofer tasked with shaking up cups of nuts to deliver to bigwigs and listening incredulously as he's told how to cater to a producer's veganism. Ha-haaa! Silly movie people and their tofu while people are starving!

Then, Mohmed tells a stunned-looking producer, Peter Saraf, that he loves George W. Bush, because "he changed my life." Awkward.

And it becomes increasingly clear that the do-gooders may not have plucked the most noble of savages from the rubble. Tasked with putting together a gag reel for the movie's wrap party, Mohmed goes out drinking instead, lies about his progress and screws up the job. While his hosts share blame for putting him to work with little more than a pat on the head, Mohmed reveals himself to be dishonest, lazy, increasingly petulant and a skeevy user.

Saraf says, "My feeling about the United States' invasion of Iraq is, 'What the [expletive] did you think was going to happen, you idiot?' And should I be thinking that about myself?"

This Iraqi, it turns out, is his own mini-quagmire.

Nobody's stuck in the quagmire more than Davenport, who allows her relationship with Mohmed to become somewhat abusive as she follows him over several months. As Schreiber's crew leaves Prague and washes their hands of him, Mohmed finds similar work on The Rock's "Doom" flick, constantly finagling visa extension help and money from anyone he can, especially Davenport — while refusing to help himself because he's too proud "for kissing asses."

Few people come off very well in the irritating course of events — even The Rock, who makes sure his act of largesse is captured on film, complete with an introduction. In fact, one question the ordeal raises is what role the camera's presence plays in everyone's response to the guy, who seems like an utterly sympathetic case at first sight. Another question: What will desperation make someone do? While Mohmed seems like a manipulative punk, his family and friends are also warning him to do anything he can to avoid returning to Iraq.

All I know is, he's not staying with me.

Mark Rahner: 206-464-8259

or mrahner@seattletimes.com