Kiefer Sutherland, Kate Hudson take on dark themes in "The Reluctant Fundamentalist"
Kiefer Sutherland and Kate Hudson are taking on controversial subject matter with their new political thriller, "The Reluctant Fundamentalist."
The film, directed by Mira Nair, takes place in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, and centers on Changez (Riz Ahmed), a young Pakistani man working on Wall Street who may or may not have ties to radical Islamic extremists.
"The Reluctant Fundamentalist" also explores issues many Arab Americans have had to face living in the U.S. following the 2001 terror attacks.
Sutherland, who plays a Wall Street executive, said he was specifically drawn to "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" because of its post-9/11 themes.
"I think one of the great things about this country is that we can take a look at our reaction to it and realize yes, 98 percent of our reaction was justified. And yet there was this other part that we did not deal with so well," Sutherland told CBS News in a recent interview.
The new thriller also has an element of romance. Hudson plays Erica, Changez's love interest.
"Within that is a wake up call for Erica, which is really ready to be able to love him the way she needs," Hudson said.
"The Reluctant Fundamentalist" had its U.S. premiere on Monday at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival.
Ahmed spoke to CBS News about the reaction the film has been receiving so far from American viewers. Watch video above to see what he said.
The thriller opens in theaters on April 26.
