Synopsis
In this unique film, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, an Iraqi journalist and photographer, takes us to his home city of Baghdad. He gives an insider’s view of the real impact of the invasion on Baghdad as it became ‘The City of Walls’. Baghdad is now where thousands of homeless roam the streets, where children grow up hating Americans, and where cemeteries are improvised to bury the thousands of dead and where there is electricity for only 3 hours a day. The traumatized city wears its scars as a series of giant walls separates Sunni and Shia residents. Between and around these walls, murder, hatred and division are perilously close to the surface. The film also takes us to orphanages in Sadr City run by a militia and to the desolate wasteland where militia-men dump their victims’ bodies in unmarked graves. Ghaith’s ability to move around the city despite the dangers, gives us a unique insight into this Baghdad. It is a story about the life beyond the fortified Green Zone, a story so far untold.
Director
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Teresa SmithTeresa Smith is a documentary filmmaker, and journalist who has worked for BBC Television, The Guardian Newspaper, Guardian Films/GuardianUnlimited, Channel 4 (UK), Al Jazeera English, ITN andCNN International. She has worked extensively in the Middle East. Her documentaries include: Baghdad: City of Walls (Guardian Films for Al Jazeera English 2009), 9/11 Through Muslim Eyes (ITN for Channel 4), Reflections of Ground Zero (ITN for Channel 4), Playing to Survive (BBC2) and Cutting Up Rough (BBC2).
Credits
- Director Teresa Smith
- Producer Ghaith Abdul Ahad
- Editor Joe Mcallister
- Music Audio Network
Production Company
- Production Company Guardian Films
- Address Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, UK
- Tel 44 203 353 2910
- Email jacqui.timberlake@guardian.co.uk
Distributor/World Sales
- Distributor/World Sales Journeyman Pictures
- Address 4-6 High Street, Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0OR, Samoa
- Tel 208 398 4616
- Email mark.stucke@btconnect.com