Heavy Metal in Baghdad
| Heavy Metal in Baghdad | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Suroosh Alvi Eddy Moretti |
| Written by | Bernardo Loyola Suroosh Alvi |
| Produced by | Spike Jonze(executive producer) Shane Smith Eddy Moretti Suroosh Alvi Monica Hampton |
| Starring | Suroosh Alvi Firas Al Lateef Faisal Talal Marwan Reyad Tony Aziz |
| Music by | Acrassicauda |
| Distributed by | VBS.tv |
Release dates |
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Running time | 84 minutes |
| Countries | United States Canada |
| Languages | English Arabic |
Heavy Metal in Baghdadis a 2007rockumentaryfilm following filmmakers Eddy Moretti andSuroosh Alvias they track down theIraqiheavy metalbandAcrassicaudaamidst theIraq War.
Synopsis
[edit]In 2003, the Iraqi heavy-metal bandAcrassicaudawas the subject of aVicemagazine article. With the magazine's help, they were able to stage a sell-out show in 2005 despite the recent ousting ofSaddam Hussein.Filmmakers fromVicereturned to Iraq in 2006 to track down the band. Upon their return they discovered the multitude of death and destruction, including rehearsing studios destroyed by bombs.
Candid interviews with the band members allows an insight into a sub section of society steeped in American pop culture and the hostilities this attracts.[1]
Production
[edit]The film was shot over three years.[2]Filming locations includedBaghdadandErbilinIraq,Beirut, LebanonandDamascus, Syria.[3]The film was distributed by VBS.tv, part of theVicemedia conglomerate. During the filming it was revealed that the Syrian government did not intend to extend the visas of the band to stay inSyria;as a result, the filmmakers campaigned to raise funds to relocate the band in a safer country, rather than return to Iraq.[4]In 2009, the band were resettled in the United States as refugees.[5]
Release
[edit]The film premiered at the2007 Toronto International Film Festivalon 8 September 2007.[6]This was followed by a 10 February screening at theBerlin International Film Festival.[6]On 13 March 2008, it was screened at Greece'sThessaloniki Documentary Festival.[6]
It received an official theatrical release in the United States on 23 May 2008 and a limited theatrical release in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2008.[6]
The film has been screened at several other international film festivals, includingMexico'sExpresión en Corto International Film Festivalon 24 July 2008.[6]This was followed by a 21 September 2008 screening atFinland'sHelsinki International Film Festival.Further European festival screenings in 2008 took place on 25 September atIceland'sReykjavík International Film Festival,[6]10 October screening atBelgium's Ghent International Film Festival[6]andPoland's Warsaw International Filmfest on 10 October also.[6]
DVD
[edit]The film was released on DVD in the United States on 10 June. The collector's edition includes over 90 minutes of bonus material. This includes a 45-minute featurette, seven additional and deleted scenes (live performances and interviews), an 8-page booklet including the originalVicemagazine article "No War For Heavy Metal" as well as a teaser trailer.[7]
Book
[edit]A book accompanying the film was released in 2009, titled "Heavy Metal in Baghdad - The Story of Acrassicauda". The book was edited byAndy Capper,editor ofVicemagazine in the UK and Europe. The book offers an oral history of the band's journey, made up of extended interviews with key members.
Reception
[edit]On thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,83% of 24 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "Despite being a Gonzo-esque rockumentary following the fortunes of Iraq's one and only heavy metal band, Acrassicauda,Heavy Metalis actually a moving and impassioned account of the middle-east crisis. "[8]
TheNew York Timespraised the film as "An intrepid, unlikely and altogether splendid feat of D.I.Y. reportage...Both a stirring testament to the plight of cultural expression in Baghdad and a striking report on the refugee scene in Syria, this rock-doc like no other electrifies its genre and redefines headbanging as an act of hard-core courage."[9]
TheLos Angeles Timesdescribed the film as "More than just another Iraq-doc, 'Heavy Metal' is a surprisingly up-close look at the toll of the war on young people, and how they still have dreams and still want to jam, party and get down. If 'Once' was about the romance of creativity,Heavy Metal in Baghdadis about the total, unrelenting obsession. They have no choice. They must rock. "[10]
Reporting on film premiering at the 2007 TIFF,Rolling Stonedescribed the film as "the most powerful music film" of the festival.[11]
The film also garnered favourable reactions from leading British publications such asThe Daily TelegraphandThe Guardian.The former praised the film in that it "brings home the cultural as well as the human violence meted out to that gorgeous capital more powerfully than many more exalted documentaries...Though they struggle to build a fan base, and end up seeking refuge in Syria, their dreams persist, still blazing fiercely at the close of this chastening and inspiring film."[12]The Guardiandescribed the film as "fascinating".[13]
References
[edit]- ^Heavy Metal in BaghdadArchived2009-02-06 at theWayback MachineTIFF
- ^Baghdad band on the runThe Guardian. 28 September 2008
- ^Filming locations for Heavy Metal in BaghdadIMDB
- ^Iraqi Heavy Metal Band Asks for Help as They Fight to SurviveRolling Stone. 21 September 2007
- ^One Band Moves Its Metal Out of IraqNew York Times. 2 February 2009
- ^abcdefghRelease dates for Heavy Metal in BaghdadIMDB
- ^'Heavy Metal In Baghdad' DVD Due Next MonthArchived2009-02-13 at theWayback MachineBlabbermouth. 13 May 2008
- ^Heavy Metal In Baghdad (2008)Rotten Tomatoes
- ^(Movie Review) Heavy Metal in Baghdad (2007)New York Times. 23 May 2008
- ^Movie reviewsLos Angeles Times
- ^From Joy Division to Bob Dylan to Metal in Iraq: Music Movies Rock Toronto Film FestivalRolling Stone. 14 September 2007
- ^Film reviews: Heavy Metal in Baghdad and Ashes of TimeDaily Telegraph. 11 September 2008
- ^Heavy Metal in BaghdadThe Guardian. 12 September 2008
