The Hamburg Cell

The Hamburg Cell

Year: 2004

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: English

Director: Antonia Bird

DramaWarPolitics and human rightsPolitics propaganda and political documentariesIntense political and terrorist thrillers

A fictionalized account of the September 11 hijackers.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Hamburg Cell (2004)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Hamburg Cell (2004). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1990s–2001

The narrative spans years in the lead-up to the 9/11 hijackings, starting with Jarrah as a student in Germany in the late 1990s and culminating in the 2001 plot in the United States. It contrasts the quieter path of university life with the rapid radicalization and international travel that follows. The timeline emphasizes the gradual spread of extremist influence across borders.

Location

Greifswald, Hamburg, Florida

The story unfolds across several locations: Greifswald in northern Germany where Jarrah begins his college life, then Hamburg where he becomes involved with a local mosque, and finally Florida as the hijack plot takes shape. These settings juxtapose a European academic environment with radical circles and the American backdrop of flight training. The film uses these places to trace the pull between Western life and extremist influence.

🇩🇪 Germany 🕌 Hamburg 🗺️ Europe

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:03

Main Characters – The Hamburg Cell (2004)

Meet the key characters of The Hamburg Cell (2004), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ziad Jarrah (Karim Saleh)

A Lebanese-born student in Germany who moves from a secular background toward radicalism. His path is shaped by Abdulrahman Al-Makhadi and the Hamburg mosque, pulling him into extremist circles and eventually toward the 2001 hijacking plot.

🎯 Extremism 🧭 Identity 💕 Relationship

Aysel Senguen (Agni Scott)

Jarrah's girlfriend and dentistry student. Their relationship strains as Jarrah drifts toward religious extremism, with Aysel seeking stability away from Hamburg while his path leads toward Afghanistan and flight training.

❤️ Relationship 🧭 Identity 🎓 Student

Abdulrahman Al-Makhadi (Kammy Darweish)

An Islamic prayer leader who introduces Jarrah to jihadist ideas and the notion of Muslim duty, guiding him toward a more devout, radical path while highlighting the conflict between faith and modern life.

🕌 Faith 🎯 Extremism 🧭 Influence

Mohamed Atta (Kamel Boutros)

Already radicalized, Atta embodies extremist influence and the network's ideology, aligning with Ramzi bin al-Shibh's views on the 'godlessness' of modernity and participating in training for coordinated attacks.

🎯 Extremism 🧭 Ideology 🗺️ Travel

Mohamed Atta (Maral Kamel)

An alternate portrayal of Atta emphasizing the same radicalization arc and central role in linking Hamburg's circle to Afghanistan training and the U.S. hijack plot.

🎯 Extremism 🧭 Ideology 🗺️ Travel

Ramzi bin al Shibh (Omar Berdouni)

A key ideologue behind the modern jihadist movement; he informs Atta and provides the theoretical framework for the group's violence, contrasting with Western modern life.

🧭 Ideology 💬 Influence 🕊️ Conflict

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:03

Major Themes – The Hamburg Cell (2004)

Explore the central themes of The Hamburg Cell (2004), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Radicalization

The film traces Ziad Jarrah's progression from a non-practicing student to someone drawn into extremist networks. The Hamburg mosque and the teachings of Ramzi bin al-Shibh push him toward a more violent worldview, illustrating how exposure to certain ideas can steer a person away from prior beliefs.

🧭 Identity and Faith

Jarrah's Lebanese heritage, wealth, and Christian schooling create a tension between Western life and religious duty. As he encounters calls to jihad, his sense of self becomes braided with faith, loyalty to family, and the pull of modernity, reshaping his personal identity.

💕 Love and Strain

Jarrah's relationship with Aysel struggles under the pressure of his evolving beliefs. The romance faces tests as his focus shifts toward jihadist networks, complicating their future and highlighting the personal costs of radicalization.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:03

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Unlock the Full Story of The Hamburg Cell

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The Hamburg Cell Summary

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The Hamburg Cell Summary

The Hamburg Cell Timeline

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The Hamburg Cell Timeline

The Hamburg Cell Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Hamburg Cell Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Hamburg Cell

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The Hamburg Cell (2004) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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