Completed - ARABIC - Documentary - 75 minutes
Iraqi orphans must find a new home before it's too late.
Year of production : 2011 Director(s) : Atia AL-DARADJI, Mohamed AL-DARADJI Writer(s) : Atia AL-DARADJI, Mohamed AL-DARADJI Producer(s) : Atia AL-DARADJI, Isabelle STEAD
In Al-Sadr City, Baghdad’s toughest district, stricken with violence and poverty lies a 2 roomed, safe dwelling for orphans. Child carer HUSHAM scours the streets for homeless children, funds and properties, as he strives tirelessly to build the hopes, dreams and prospects of the 32 boys living under his care. With funds running desperately low, against a threatening backdrop, the sometimes-comedic dramas of childhood play out: 7-year-old SAIF can only remember his dead mother’s name ‘Mejuda’ as he faces the taunts of other kids in constant playground battles; moody Teenager MOHAMMED, struggles to copes with his studies against an unknown future and past; whilst young Sallah fears he may never been able to go to school. When the landlord gives HUSHAM and the boys just two weeks notice to vacate the house a desperate search ensues, as the children gather for a cathartic stage performance of ‘In my Mother’s Arms’, filled with the fragile promise of a new Iraq as it’s most vulnerable sing their song.
Country(ies) : IRAQ Financing plan : Al Jazeera English, Sanad Abu Dhabi IFF, Cinema in Motion 6 - San Sebastain IFF Start of shooting : August 2010
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Toronto - TIFF 2011 Real to Reel