Meeting Resistance Film – Now Playing in some Theatres
October 19, 2007
Synopsis: What would you do if your country was invaded? MEETING RESISTANCE raises the veil of anonymity surrounding the Iraqi insurgency by meeting face to face with individuals who are passionately engaged in the struggle, and documenting for the very first time, the sentiments experienced and actions taken by a nation’s citizens when their homeland is occupied. Voices that have previously not been heard, male and female, speak candidly about their motivations, hopes and goals, revealing a kaleidoscope of human perspectives. Featuring reflective, yet fervent conversations with active insurgents, MEETING RESISTANCE is the missing puzzle piece in understanding the Iraq war. Directed by Steve Connors and Molly Bingham, this daring, eye-opening film provides unique insight into the personal narratives of people involved in the resistance, exploding myth after myth about the war in Iraq and the Iraqis who participate. Through its unprecedented access to these clandestine groups, MEETING RESISTANCE focuses the spotlight on the “other side,” leaving the viewer with clarity as to why the violence in Iraq continues to this day.
Although not totally related to your current post, I just wanted to let you know of a ground breaking new anti-war film that is opening this weekend in London.
We need all the help we can to get this film out there and seen.
IRAQ ‘S POST-SADDAM FEATURE AHLAAM TO BE RELEASED IN CINEMAS ACROSS THE UK FROM 2ND NOVEMBER 2007.
AHLAAM (Dream, Mohamed Al-Daradji, UK/Iraq/Netherlands, 2006)
Based on true stories, Ahlaam takes us on an incredible journey, following two psychiatric patients, who escape from their mental institution in Baghdad, and a young doctor on the night US forces start their ’shock and awe’ campaign to “liberate” Iraq from Saddam Hussein’s totalitarian regime.
Ahlaam is Iraq’s second post-Saddam feature to hit the big screen. Al-Daradji’s debut feature was filmed under highly unstable conditions, with cast and crew encountering not only all kinds of technical restrictions, but being exposed to shooting, abductions, torture and imprisonment, both by insurgents and the American forces.
After attending over 75 festivals around the world and winning many respected awards, the film was selected for consideration for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards 2007 and screened to an attentive audience at the BAFTA .
For security reasons, Al-Daradji had been unable to screen the film in Baghdad. His dream to show it to his own people came true last April, with a screening at the National Theatre to over one thousand people, including cast and crew, members of Iraq’s beleaguered artistic community and government officials. They braved fears of terror attacks to attend and midway through the showing, a rumour that a minibus with explosives had been parked nearby swept the theatre. Luckily it was a false alarm. On the day of the screening, over 200 people were killed in Baghdad by insurgent attacks.
Ahlaam will be screened in much safer circumstances in the UK starting from Friday 2 November at the ICA London when a special Q&A will be held. Film is being released through Human Film and will tour around the country.
Other screenings…
HAWKHURST
KINO
7
02-Nov-07
BRADFORD
PICTUREVILLE
7
23-Nov-07
CHICHESTER
NEW PARK
2
01-Dec-07
ABERYSTWYTH
ARTS CENTRE
3
08-Dec-07
INVERNESS
EDEN COURT
2
20-Feb-08
Edinburgh Filmhouse – Edinburgh for 4 days from 7th December with Q&A
NOTE TO EDITORS : For press, marketing and interview opportunities, please contact Isabelle Stead at isabelle@humanfilm.co.uk or +44 (0) 7835 378 454 or 0113 243 8880
For further information on Ahlaam, please visit http://www.ahlaamthemovie.com or http://www.humanfilm.co.uk http://www.myspace.com/ahlaamthemovie or to view the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN7wAgQlsbk