Iraqi Cinema

[SumerianKing]

Good news, will be looking into that movie. Thank you kebir.

[Nizey]

Thanks Shaytan for the article, it's really uplifting and the outdoor cinema idea is a really great start.

[SumerianKing]

[iraqishi3i]

Reuters Pictures 8 hours ago People watch a documentary film, "Son of Babylon" at a mobile cinema in a park on Abu Nawas Street in Baghdad, May 11, 2012. Picture taken May 11, 2012.

[SumerianKing]

Iraq Ministry of Culture to produce 19 new films

July 06, 2012 By Khalid al-Taie in Baghdad
A man waits near the entrance of a movie theatre in Baghdad in April 2011. [Mohammed Ameen/Reuters]

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As part of the "Baghdad Capital of Arabic Culture" project in 2013, the Iraqi Ministry of Culture is working on producing 19 feature and documentary films in an effort to reinvigorate Iraqi film production.


Fawzi al-Atroushi, the ministry's undersecretary, said two short documentary films have been completed, "The Cart", and "Concrete", and work on two other films is scheduled to finish soon.
"Within the framework of preparations to honour Baghdad as a capital of Arab culture next year, we look forward to finishing all 19 films now that sufficient financing has been secured," he told Mawtani.
The ministry allocated 10 billion dinars ($8.6 million) to finance the production of the films.
"We are operating with the financial backing we receive to revive Iraqi cinema despite our conviction that progress in the field requires unified efforts between the public and private sectors," al-Atroushi said.
"We need joint efforts because film production, particularly feature films, requires huge financial resources, advanced technical and technological capabilities, which the state cannot provide on its own without participation from the private sector which plays an important supportive role in the development," he said.
Al-Atroushi said the ministry is trying to rebuild movie theatres and other theatres, including the National Theatre and the Al-Rasheed Theatre. Officials also plan to build 40 theatres in schools, and 30 of them have been completed.
New era for Iraqi cinema

"Last year, our department adopted a plan for the production of documentary and feature films," said Kassim Salman, director of the theatre division for the Ministry of Culture. "During the first phase we produced four short documentaries, two of which were completed, and there is hope that the other two will be finished sometime this month."
"The second phase, which we already started, includes the production of 15 new cinema films, including eight features, while the rest are short ones. We are in the process of signing contracts with several Iraqi directors to start shooting," he said.
Among these films are "Pleasures and Pains" directed by Mohammad Shukri Jameel; "The Rosy Dream" by director Faisal al-Yassery; "The Shepherd's Silence" by Raad Mushatat; and "Farewell to Ninawa" by Emanuel Tomi.
Other films include "A Man's Tear" by director Dunya al-Kabany; "From the Bottom of the City" by Jamal Abed Jassem; "Suspended Assassination" by Farouk al-Qaisi; and "Imposers of Security" by Hashem Abu Iraq.
Salman said the production of so many films "will represent a new beginning for Iraqi cinema, and we hope that by taking this step, we will restore film production to what it was in the past in terms of activity and international status".
He said the Ministry of Culture is renovating the Samiramis, Nassr, and Atlas cinema halls in Baghdad, emphasising the necessity of "boosting the pace of investment in building and renovating cinema houses".
Cinema addresses societal issues

Director Hashim Abu Iraq praised the start of film production and called for more attention to be paid to cinema given the importance of this segment.
He said the Iraqi film industry "went through difficult circumstances in the past because of a lack of financing which is an essential pillar for the industry's success in any country and because of the security situation which forced many Iraqi artists and film makers to leave the country in search of safety".
"With the return of most artists to the country, the restoration of security, and strong support from the Culture Ministry, I predict that Iraqi cinema is about to experience a revival," Abu Iraq said.
Abu Iraq, whose film "Imposers of Security", addresses the most obvious signs of security improvements in Iraq, said cinema plays an important role in shaping the public's understanding of their environment.
"It addresses issues in society through the artistic treatment of private experiences because it is a humane, patriotic message that provides advice, lessons, and knowledge," he said.
He added. "We should give cinema what it deserves in terms of attention and support," he said. "Iraqi filmmakers are blessed with creativity, have the expertise, and a long tradition in the arts."

[SumerianKing]

[SumerianKing]

[elusive]

dont get what this movie is about, gay couples in iraq? lol

[mo7amed]

Originally Posted by SumerianKing

Really..? It's not enough with terrorists, Americans and whatnots destroying every level of Iraqi society? Now, we have Ninjas randomly attacking Iraqi Marseille fans who for some appararent reason cannot get their ring of their finger? What will be next?

[Sinjar]

[BigDreamer]

not bad for a budget movie !!

the acting isn't too great tho.. but i'll watch it !

[Sinjar]

yea and the narrator is exaggerating with his voice but I will give it a shot too.

[BigDreamer]

i think the guy playing gelgamesh is speaking to softly in monotone ... sounds like he's reading a script ... not really acting

[SumerianKing]

Yeh looks great. Not a fan of the roman clothing :/ kills it. And the kicking part from 300 THIS IS URUUUKKKK!!! could have been more creative.

[BigDreamer]

hahaha yea.. not much creativity ... but i don't expect to see any, iraq had no movie industry for decades, so imitations are expected