You are viewing a film from our
2008 Festival programme.
Ahlaam
Friday 11th April 2:15 PM - Theatre By The Lake
Director:Mohamed Al Daradji
Cert:15 Year: 2005 Length:110mins
Country:Iraq
In 2003, in the aftermath of Iraq's invasion, the patients of a mental hospital escape into the crazed Baghdad world. Medical student Mehdi, trapped in lowly work by his late father's activism against Saddam, gets the help of patriotic soldier (and asylum inmate) Ali to round up the lost patients – among them Ahlaam in her wedding dress, searching hopelessly for her lost fiancé. This is an unflinching story of life pre- and post-Saddam, a rare chance to see an Iraqi point-of-view. The film-makers were kidnapped by insurgents and interrogated by US soldiers during the shoot, yet survived to tell an extraordinary tale. 'That any film should be made under such circumstances is extraordinary in itself, but that the film should also look so good and be so compelling, is nothing short of a miracle.' (Anton Bitel, Channel 4 Film)
Thanks to Winstone Film Distributors
Keswick Film Festival is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network.
All programme and film details are correct at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.