Educational Media Reviews Online

This film shows the wide ranging opinions of the ordinary Baghdad residents four months after the second Gulf war ended. An exiled Iraqi writer spent three weeks talking to the citizens of Baghdad to make this documentary. This is a microcosm of that time, post battle, when there still was chaos, uncertainty and very few services to support daily life. Gasoline was scarce, looting and banditry is common. The film focuses on the immediate post war concerns of the people in the street. The opinions are not the sound bites we are used to seeing on television. They provide a more thoughtful, distraught and at times honest picture of the Iraqi people who suffered under Saddam. The people wanted work. They wanted to rule themselves. They hated Saddam and were frustrated at the slow pace of recovery. At first you think they are ungrateful for the American removal of the dictator at the cost of so many lives. There is a lot of whining about conspiracies or occupation but ultimately there are more thanks for our military intervention.

Many of the people did not understand the big picture of the total neglect of infrastructure while Saddam stole UN money to buy arms. Some of the statements are amazing in their clarity, such as one person who said all Arab regimes are illegitimate and blames them all for not helping to overthrow the dictator.

In several segments former prisoners of the regime talk about the incredible cruelties they had to endure. This was much worse than you will ever see in the mainstream media.

You get a good feel for how the war damaged the intellectual and artistic lives of the Baghdadi citizens. Scenes of a destroyed art school and other cultural centers are shown. The soundtrack is performed by a well known local musician who we see recording the music several times during the film. This wonderful film is recommended for any one interested in an honest look at the Iraqi people.