About Baghdad

Name: About Baghdad
Genre: War, Documentary
Released: January 12, 2005
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 70

2005

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Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

Arab Film Distribution | Release Date: January 12, 2005

Summary: About Baghdad is the first film made about Iraq after the fall of the Ba'ath regime in July 2003. It is also perhaps the first effort to privilege the voices of the Iraqi people, from all walks of life as well as social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. While many have talked about and for the Iraqi people, few media outlets have sought toAbout Baghdad is the first film made about Iraq after the fall of the Ba'ath regime in July 2003. It is also perhaps the first effort to privilege the voices of the Iraqi people, from all walks of life as well as social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. While many have talked about and for the Iraqi people, few media outlets have sought to probe beyond the simplistic binary of pro-US/pro-Saddam perspective so often found in Western and Arab media portrayals of Iraq. About Baghdad presents Iraqis who describe the pain, complexity and suffering of living under decades of tyranny, oppression, wars, sanctions and now occupation. Silenced for so long by a regime that sought to replace the people with the image of just one man, and re-silenced by the bombs and occupation forces, the Iraqi people long to speak out and to claim their future. About Baghdad is a small step forward towards that goal in presenting audiences with their first opportunity to hear unadulterated Iraqi voices that should be privileged regardless of one's perspective on the war and the justifications given for it. We found in Baghdad a people who are tired, traumatized and uncertain about their future, and yet determined and united in seeking to build a strong nation for its people.… Expand

Director: Adam Shapiro and Bassam Haddad and Maya Mikdashi and Sinan Antoon and Suzy Salamy

Genre(s): War, Documentary

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

100

David Sterritt

Harrowing, informative, conscientiously balanced documentary. [14 Jan 2005, p.14]

Bill Stamets

Antoon injects an occasional note of rancor, but the more radical point here is showing how freely Baghdad residents now speak in public on politics and how widely their views range. [12 Nov 2005, p.35]

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Shot in July 2003, this collectively made video documentary is by far the most comprehensive account I’ve seen of how Iraqis view the U.S. war and occupation. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

This excellent documentary from Iraqi writer-turned-filmmaker Sinan Antoon presents their hopes and fears directly from the Iraqis themselves. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Following exiled Iraqi writer Sinan Antoon as he returns home to gauge feeling on Hussein and the devastating effects of sanctions, the endless conflicts and now the terrible carnage, the film grants brief access to the lives and opinions of those always on the harsh end of geopolitical manoeuvres. Read full review

Eddie Cockrell

The writer discovers a people physically and psychologically worn down by decades of dictatorship, sanctions, war and occupation. Read full review

Dana Stevens

The inexplicable use of split screens and multiple images does little to bolster the power of the speakers' testimony. If anything, the technique is distracting. Material as emotionally and intellectually challenging as this requires no gimmicks at all. Read full review

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User Reviews

XenaDOG

Jan 20, 2005

A must see.

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FilmGoer

Mar 30, 2005

Great film!

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