Baghdad in My Shadow

In large measure, a film of the actors more than film of stories. Because the stories, political, cultural, romantic, map of clash of culturies, portrait of islamism are just frames for a very inspired characters, supported by admirable acting. A story of nostalgic, past and forms of integration remaining himself. Charming in profound sense and very delicate to the absence of courage to define it very clear. Because it is a package of flavors. Intense, bitter, sweet, fair image of a world, maybe giving too many lines but doing that in noble purpoise. A film for love and remember and understand and accept and defining , maybe, yourself. A honest film. And a splendid end of it.

This film deals with issues such as refugees, radicalization, casual racism and sexism, and general hypocrisy in all of us. It's a contentious subject, and almost impossible not to offend some section of the society. But I think the film did a decent job while maintaining it entertaining as a commercial film.

The form factor as the crime investigation drama is a bit of cliche. I understand it keeps the film entertaining, but I honestly think it's the weaker side of it overall. The depiction of the super serious, lone-hero type interviewee and cold investigators in grey rainy London are carbon copies of the recent crime TV dramas, and feels over-done... But the different lives gathered in the cafe are lively and multi-layered. Samir, the old hostess of the cafe, especially steals the scenes with her bold, biting and funny remarks. Characters like her, who could very well have been in arms with other Parisian students during the '68 revolution, and the old Iraqi music shows on TV represent the past of Iraq most people in the West do not know, while more recent Hussein era is represented by Taufik's past and in the form of ex-husband of Amal.

Other issues are also represented more than simplistic way; The bigotry of the extremist preacher is clear, but even the more liberal minded guys are not free from subtler sexism and homophobia. The form of racism the Iraqis have to experience also ranges from the direct violence to much more casual ones from the local English who fail to recognize their love interests are more than what they see present in London - they are also their past, their culture and community. And that applies exactly the same beyond their individual lives. Without understanding the complex texture of the past and present, there will be no solution to the issues like refugees, religion, radicalization and bigotry.

It's not a documentary or a reportage. It's ultimately meant to be an entertaining commercial flick, and it does it decently. But it manages to touch on complex issues involved, and leaves a lot of things to think about beyond its running time.

I'm always a bit apprehensive to see that a film is over a hundred minutes long as I fear it might be a bit of self indulgence from the director. However, this film was riveting for every single minute.

The characterisation was finely nuanced, there were no caricatures here. The Salafist preacher was a goodlooking guy with an English accent not some Abu Hamza al-Masri or repulsive raving "Hook Hand" so beloved by the UK press as a means to criticise Muslims. The gay young Iraqi guy Mohaned was out and proud in some ways but not in others because of the culture he was surrounded by. Amal was torn by the culture she had been brought up in and her desire to live a free life in London. Some of the older exiles despite their communist beliefs and embracing of liberty were still stuck with cultural baggage they could not shake off even after half a lifetime in London.

The grooming of the young guys at the mosque was chilling in the telling. The bewilderment of the parent and family at the change in Nasser was painful to see. Any grooming for a nefarious purpose is evil, but the film showed the utter contempt of the extremist religious leaders for the lads they were duping, something that real life terrorist recruiters have admitted.

This isn't just a story about religion and politics; there's human interest and relationships too. These were given an added frisson by the cultural milieu. As so often, women were the practical ones and more accepting of deviation from cultural mores.

Flashbacks to Iraq were interspesed with scenes of the present day. Toufiq kept his integrity even under interrogation both then and now. I saw the ending coming but not Amal's epilogue which was poignant in its yearning.

I watched with subtitles for both the English, Arabic and Kurdish parts. The actors switch languages rapidly from one to the other and one misses on occasion that they have suddenly started speaking English. There is a version of the film available that subtitles just the non-English parts. I'd advise doing as I did.

I'm still thinking about this film some hours later and the issues it raised. It's a brave film and a powerful statement against extremism. I strongly recommend it.

It was difficult to follow. Poetic images and words.Great Cast, I don't know how else to say it, made with beautifully sketched out characters. Convincing story. But hard to follow.