Film Lens
We Iraqis is a documentary film directed by Abbas Fahdel, focusing on daily life in Baghdad before and after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It begins with a protest in Paris on February 15, 2003, against the impending war, and follows Fahdel as he joins his brother's family in Baghdad during the tense lead-up to the conflict. The film captures the atmosphere of anticipation and fear among the Iraqi people as they prepare for the outbreak of war.
After the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, Fahdel returns to Baghdad two months later to find the city in chaos. The film contrasts the horrors of the dictatorship with the new challenges faced by the people, yet it also reveals their enduring hope for the future. Fahdel's conclusion, "I came to film death, but life got the upper hand," encapsulates the film's focus on the endurance of the Iraqi people amidst turmoil.
Why Watch
- •See Baghdad's life before and after the 2003 invasion.
- •Meet Abbas Fahdel, an Iraqi-French filmmaker.
- •Find out how Iraqis cope with chaos after dictatorship.
Did You Know
•The film was released in 2004 and has a duration of 54 minutes.
•It is a sequel to Fahdel's 2002 documentary Back to Babylon.
•The film received a Mention of the Jury at the 15th African, Asian and Latin American Film Festival in Milan in 2005.
•It was selected for multiple film festivals, including FIPA in 2004 and the Cannes Film Festival in 2005.
Perfect For
Iraqi culture enthusiastsDocumentary film fansMiddle Eastern history buffs