Shooting in iraq
It was, until the time of Saddam Hussein, one of the most refined film industries in the Middle East, connected with French, English and Italian European production, thanks also to directors such as Mohammad Jamil al Shukri. But the wars in the Gulf have literally canceled the screening rooms as well. Since 2011, the Iraqi film industry has been trying to get back on its feet by starting over with handcrafted formulas and restoring the teaching of its techniques in academies and universities. Today a new season of creatives and fimaker is exploding: from the productions of television series in Suleymania and irreverent sit-coms such as the Melon City Show in Baghdad, Iraqi cinema is preparing to landing on Netflix. And while everyone is talking about the success of the film “Mosul”, a new generation of filmmakers trained partly abroad, partly in protest squares, is making itself , from the North to the South.
Sulaymanieiyah, Iraqi Kurdistan - The exterior of the former cigar factory, now converted into a cultural hub for artists and film makers.
Dyala, Iraq. The camera and photography managers prepare the materials for a night shooting.
Baghdad. Iraq. The studio of the Arab world's most popular comedy show, Melon City Show, which has over 12 million followers on You Tube.
Dyala, Iraq. The head of the sex doll protagonist of the movie "Hanging gardens". A group of young film makers have decided to shoot a controversial film right in the heart of the Shiite militias.
Sulaymanieiyah, Iraqi Kurdistan - Yad Deen - The director, born in Iraq, but raised in London, shot his latest film in Iraq, in an old cigar factory, and now, together with other artists and film makers, he is creating, inside the factory, a creative hub for artists and directors.
Dyala, Iraq. While waiting for the right light for the shooting, the final indications are given to the actors.
Dyala, Iraq. Hussein, protagonist of the film "Hanging gardens", on the terrace of the house chosen as the production site, in an area with a strong presence of Shiite militias.
Sulaymanieiyah, Iraqi Kurdistan - Ahmad Rauf, one of the most famous comedy actors, in the role of Kurdish-Iraqi family man, on the set of the series Mina's hotel.
Baghdad. Iraq. One of the Art City Center film studios. The workers prepare the scenography for a production.
Dyala, Iraq. The camera and photography managers prepare the materials for a night shooting.
Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan. On the set of the latest production by Nias Latif, one of the best known Iraqi directors of comedies. The series is called Mina's Hotel, and despite being a funny and ironic production, it deals with issues that are important to Iraqi society, such as the generational clashes between fathers and sons.
Baghdad. Iraq. Ali Fadel Abbas, presenter and actor, star of Melon City Show, on the set. Melon City Show is the most followed comedy show in the Arab world with over 12 million followers on You Tube.
Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan. On the set of the latest production by Nias Latif, one of the best known Iraqi directors of comedies. The series is called Mina's Hotel, and despite being a funny and ironic production, it deals with issues that are important to Iraqi society, such as the generational clashes between fathers and sons.
Dyala, Iraq. While waiting for the right light for the shooting, the final indications are given to the actors.
Baghdad. Iraq. Mohammed Jameel al Shukri in his home in one of the most elegant areas of the city. Al Shukri was one of the most important and famous Iraqi directors of the 1970s, and has worked in England and Italy with directors of the caliber of Rossellini and Fellini.
Baghdad. Iraq. Hikmat Muttashar Majeed Al Beedhan. Founder of Art City Center and the 3by3 short film festival, he is director of the film department at the Baghdad Academy of Art.
Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan. On the set of the Minas Hotel series. The dinner for the whole crew is prepared over a fire, in the guard of the house used as a location.
Dyala, Iraq. The doll protagonist of the film "Hanging gardens", in the house chosen as the production site, in an area with a strong presence of Shiite militias.
Baghdad. Iraq. A video editing room inside Art City, the largest center of film and television production in the country.
Dyala, Iraq. An old village chosen as the location for one of the most important scenes of the movie "Hanging gardens".
Baghdad. Iraq. Mohammed Jameel al Shukri in his home in one of the most elegant areas of the city. Al Shukri was one of the most important and famous Iraqi directors of the 1970s, and has worked in England and Italy with directors of the caliber of Rossellini and Fellini.
Baghdad. Iraq. Fatma al-Rubaee, famous film actress and wife of director Mohammed Jameel al Shukri.
Dyala, Iraq. Hair cut before one of the most important scenes on the set of "Hanging gardens".
Dyala, Iraq. The crew of the movie "Hanging gardens" seen through the glass of a Tuk Tuk, the cheapest and most popular means of transport in the southern suburbs of Baghdad, usually driven by poor kids. Tuk Tuks have become the symbol of the 2019 revolution: they were used by protesters in Tahrir Square in Baghdad to maintain contacts, distribute drinks and newspapers and, if necessary, transport the injured