Films About the Way in Iraq
The topic of films about the way in Iraq encompasses a range of narratives that explore the complexities of life in Iraq, particularly in the context of war, conflict, and the aftermath of invasion. These films often delve into personal stories, cultural identity, and the impact of political turmoil on everyday lives. Through various genres, filmmakers have sought to portray the resilience of the Iraqi people, the chaos of war, and the multifaceted nature of their experiences, providing audiences with a deeper understanding of the region and its struggles.
Here are some notable films that reflect the way in Iraq:
“The Hurt Locker”, 2008
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this intense war drama follows an elite Army bomb squad as they navigate the dangers of disarming explosives in Iraq. The film examines the psychological toll of war on soldiers and raises questions about bravery, addiction to danger, and the realities of combat.
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Christian Camargo, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Sam Spruell, Christopher Sayegh, Evangeline Lilly, Suhail Dabbach, Nabil Koni, Sam Redford, Feisal Sadoun, Barrie Rice, Imad Dadudi, Erin Gann, Justin Campbell, Malcolm Barrett, Kristoffer Ryan Winters, J.J. Kandel, Ryan Tramont, Hani Al Naimi, Hasan Darwish, Wasfi Amour, Nibras Qassem, Ben Thomas, Nader Tarawneh, Anas Wellman, Omar Mario, Fleming Campbell, Mark Behar, Tommy Dallace, Jeffrey Feingold, Jerry Fortuna, David Gueriera, Samantha Kelly, Joseph Martinus, Kate Mines, Meera Nandlal, Yousef Shweihat;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: thriller, drama, war, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
“Paradise Now”, 2005
Director: Hany Abu-Assad
This film, directed by Hany Abu-Assad, tells the story of two Palestinian childhood friends who are recruited as suicide bombers for an attack in Tel Aviv. While primarily set in Palestine, it addresses issues that resonate throughout the region, including the impact of conflict on identity and personal choices.
Starring: Lubna Azabal, Hamza Abu-Aiaash, Kais Nashif, Lutuf Nouasser, Ali Suliman, Mohammad Bustami, Ahmad Fares, Waleed On-Allah, Asaad Dwikat, Imad Saber, Mohammad Kosa, Amer Hlehel, Hiam Abbass, Nour Abd El-Hadi, Amjad Al-Imlah, Dina Titi, Yosef Abo Dheir, Sadi El-Masri, Hana Sha'alan, Nabeel Shaheen, Ayman Swedan, Jamal Shaheen, Hafez Mueen, Jamil Sawalmeh, Deya Deen Hamaideh, Thabet Abu-Zarour, Ashraf Barhom, Bassam Al-Nubani, Mohammad Kaskas, Nabeeh Jum'a, Mohammad Arabbas, Saed Mayaleh, Dirar Suleiman, Mohammad Jibreel, Wagde Ode, Tha'er Abu-Zarour, Olivier Meidinger, Salwa Ibrahim, Abd Elrahman Thaher, Jamel Daher;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, war;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Paradise Now” on the website imdb.com
“The Kite Runner”, 2007
Director: Marc Forster
Based on Khaled Hosseini's best-selling novel, this film, directed by Marc Forster, explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption against the backdrop of Afghanistan's tumultuous history, including the Soviet invasion and the rise of the Taliban. Although it focuses on Afghanistan, its connections to Iraq's sociopolitical landscape are significant.
Starring: Khalid Abdalla, Atossa Leoni, Shaun Toub, Sayed Jafar Masihullah Gharibzada, Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, Mir Mahmood Shah Hashimi, Homayon Ershadi, Nabi Tanha, Elham Ehsas, Bahram Ehsas, Tamim Nawabi, Mohamad Nabi Attai, Mohamad Nadir Sarwari, Mustafa Haidari, Ahmad Yasar Shir Agha, Mohammad Aman Joya, Abdul Azim Wahabzada, Vsevolod Bardashev, Murina Abudukelimu, Igor Radchenko, Larry Brown, L. Peter Callender, Josh Chamberlain, Marco Mazariegos, Shaan Price, Abdul Qadir Farookh, Peg McKibbin, Chris Verrill, Amar Kureishi, Maimoona Ghizal, Ehsan Aman, Yunus Osman, Mehboob Ali, Saïd Taghmaoui, Nasser Memarzia, Abdul Salam Yusoufzai, Mohamad Amin Rahimi, Aziz Raxidi, Khalil Ahmad Nooryan, Ali Dinesh, Hameeda Hamraz, Kaiser Doulat-Beek, Ahmad Shah Alam, Habib Zargi, Houshmand Habib, Lukas Ferreira, Saeed Meeran Farhad, Anita Argent;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “The Kite Runner” on the website imdb.com
“No End in Sight”, 2007
Director: Charles Ferguson
This documentary directed by Charles Ferguson provides a comprehensive overview of the Iraq War, featuring interviews with military officials, diplomats, and civilians. It critically examines the decisions that led to the war and the ongoing consequences for Iraq and the wider region.
Starring: Campbell Scott, Gerald Burke, Ali Fadhil, Omar Fekeiki, Robert Hutchings, Paul Hughes, Marc Garlasco, George Tenet, James Bamford, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Colin Powell, Samantha Power, Feisal Istrabadi, George Packer, Joost Hiltermann, Ahmad Chalabi, Lawrence DiRita, Barry Posen, Lawrence Wilkerson, Seth Moulton, David Yancey, Hugo Gonzalez, Chris Allbritton, General Jay Garner, David McKiernan, James Fallows, Nir Rosen, Paul Eaton, Robert Perito, Paul Bremer, Walter Slocombe, Amazia Baram, Yaroslav Trofimov, Ray Jennings, Linda Bilmas, Ann Gildroy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, Jamal Benomar, Mahmoud Othman, Paul Pillar, Zalmay Khalilzad, Robert Gates, Aida Ussayran, Matt Sherman, Ashton Carter;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: documentary, war;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “No End in Sight” on the website imdb.com
“The Messenger”, 2009
Director: Oren Moverman
This film, directed by Oren Moverman, follows an Army officer assigned to the casualty notification team in the aftermath of the Iraq War. It delves into the emotional burdens faced by soldiers and the profound impact of war on families and communities.
Starring: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone, Steve Buscemi, Eamonn Walker, Yaya DaCosta, Portia, Lisa Joyce, Peter Francis James, Paul Diomede, Jahmir Duran-Abreau, Gaius Charles, Brendan Sexton III, Brian Adam DeJesus, T.J. Allen, Halley Feiffer, Peter Friedman, Jeremy Strong, Fiona Dourif, Lindsay Michelle Nader, Merritt Wever, Carl Anthony Payne II, Francis A. Adams, J. Salome Martinez, Angel Caban, Kevin Hagan, Marceline Hugot, Michael Chernus, Stevie Ray Dallimore, Dale Soules, Steve Antonucci, Sara Jane Blazo, Ryan Curtis, Robert Feeley, Jenny Kirlin, Donna Ross, Karen Summerton, Francine Bianco Tax;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, melodrama, war;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Messenger” on the website imdb.com
“American Sniper”, 2014
Director: Clint Eastwood
Directed by Clint Eastwood, this biographical war drama focuses on the life of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper known for his deadly accuracy in Iraq. The film explores themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the personal costs of war.
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner, Cole Konis, Ben Reed, Elise Robertson, Luke Sunshine, Troy Vincent, Brandon Salgado Telis, Keir O'Donnell, Marnette Patterson, Billy Miller, Leonard Roberts, Jason Walsh, Reynaldo Gallegos, Kevin Lacz, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Eric Ladin, Brando Eaton, James Ryen, Luke Grimes, Jonathan Kowalsky, Shane Habberstad, Sammy Sheik, Kevin Ryan, Evan Gamble, Benjamin Mathes, Tim Griffin, Luis Jose Lopez, Brian Hallisay, Erik Aude, Jad Mhidi Senhaji, Navid Negahban, Fehd Benchemsi, Eric Close, Zack Duhame, Mido Hamada, Kathe E. Mazur, Sam Jaeger, Chance Kelly, Ryan Sadaghiani, Ayman Samman, Assaf Cohen, Fahim Fazli, Salah Salea, Hector Bucio, Aidan McGraw, Jonathan Groff;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: action, drama, war, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 132 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “American Sniper” on the website imdb.com
These films represent a diverse array of perspectives on the way in Iraq, highlighting the human stories that emerge from the shadows of conflict and the enduring spirit of those affected by war.
The films about the war in Iraq offer a poignant and multifaceted portrayal of the human experience in the midst of conflict. From the harrowing depiction of soldiers on the front lines to the impact on civilian populations, these films provide a powerful lens through which to understand the complexities and human cost of war. They invite audiences to confront the moral, emotional, and psychological toll of armed conflict, challenging us to grapple with the lasting effects on individuals and societies. Through their storytelling, these films serve as a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and the pursuit of peace in the face of adversity.
