DIFF FILMS

FOR THE YEAR 2010

LEAVING BAGHDAD

Iraq, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates / 2010 / Arabic, English, Hungarian dialogue with English subtitles / Colour / HDCam / 85 mins

Genre: Feature

Cast & Credits

Director: Koutaiba Al Janabi
Producer: Hanna Heffner, Koutaiba Al Janabi
Scriptwriter: Koutaiba Al Janabi
Cinematographer: Koutaiba Al Janabi
Editor: Francesco Carvelli, Tigger White
Composer: Tom Donald
Cast (in alphabetical order): Attila Solymosy, Jasim Al Timimi, Rang Omar, Sadik Al Attar

Synopsis

Leaving Baghdad is a road movie, shot in Iraq, the UK, Hungary, that follows Sadik, the personal cameraman to the leader Saddam Hussein. The story is set during the time of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq, at the end of the nineties. Sadik is trying to escape the grip of the regime, being pushed from country to country by events around him, and smugglers and crooks on his journey. Sadik suffers from paranoia and constant fear. The Iraqi secret police are after him because he is carrying video evidence of the atrocities committed. Sadik is dreaming to go to London to join his wife who is, however, unwilling to help. In his grief and loneliness, Sadik writes letters to his son, Semir. These letters turn into a confession revealing Sadik's past and the real reason for his fleeing, his endless waiting and his paranoia. The actors in the film are not professionals, their lives are part of the story.

Contains: Violence 15+