KATE RAYNOR STUDYGUIDE ISSUE 36 SCREEN EDUCATION

1 Synopsis

Hadi Mahood has been living in Melbourne, Australia, hav- ing fled in the first , a refugee from Samawa in Iraq’s Shiite South. Watching the news broadcasts in Aus- tralia about the war in his country, he has many unanswered questions about the war and decides to return to the city of his birth, filming his journey and the many encounters he has along the way. Flying into Baghdad is currently too dan- gerous, so Hadi lands in Kuwait and then makes a six hour road trip with a truck driver. He is greeted at the Kuwait/Iraq border by his brothers and by corrupt border guards jokingly asking for ‘donations’.

e learn a little about Hadi’s guns, guns, guns. Through it all, the background as he travels film is informed by Hadi’s empathy for Waround Samawa. Many years his countrymen and his desperate hope ago, he was an art teacher. (The Ameri- that somehow his homeland can steer cans have bombed the school where its path to some sort of peace and he once worked because Saddam prosperity. Hussein stored weapons there.) He was imprisoned during 1988 for refusing Curriculum Links to attend ’s student training camps and fight in the Iraq/Iran Iraq, My Country would have relevance War. After his release, he was then to VCE students studying SOSE and forced to join the army for a year. Middle East Politics. Due to scenes of violence, it would not be appropriate From everything we see in Iraq, My for middle or junior secondary stu- Country, this is clearly a place of chaos. dents. While Hadi interviews a man about his experience of torture under Saddam, Activities And Discussion bombs go off at the Police Department, Points where Hadi’s brother works. Much of the film is relentlessly depressing, with (NB: Much of the factual and statisti- ISSUE 36

ISSUE 36 seemingly endless images of a country cal information in this guide is derived mired in violence and misery. But for from web sites referenced at the end

all that, the footage has a sense of raw of the guide and from the World Book SCREEN EDU SCREEN EDU and powerful immediacy, capturing Encyclopedia on CD-ROM.) aspects of the conflict we are unlikely C C to see here on the nightly news. This Iraq: Background and ATION ATION is a land of date palms, goats, skinny, History yapping dogs, mounds of rubble and bomb-wrecked buildings, policemen ‘We hope the [new] government will 2 hiding behind black balaclavas, and make our lives better because we’ve suf- 3 fered a lot under the oppressive regime.’ because it lay between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. What can • Iraq is an Arab country at the head you find out about Iraq’s ancient of the Persian Gulf in south-western heritage and history? Asia. Situate the country on a map • Find out information about the of the globe. Locate countries in the ancient city of Uruk. Until recently region that are currently sympa- it has been protected from looters thetic to the US-led coalition. by Japanese troops, but since May • Find Hadi Mahood’s hometown, 2005 this role has been taken over Samawa, on a map of Iraq. by Australian troops. • Iraq is bordered by Turkey, Iran, • Select an article on the current Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and situation in Iraq from a daily news- Syria. Write an account of Iraq’s paper. Summarize the article and relations with its neighbours over make a presentation to the class. the last three decades. • Collect articles about Iraq from • Create a timeline showing the major the newspaper for a month. What events in Iraq’s history during the themes dominate the coverage? twentieth century and up to the Can you identify any important present. matters that are not regularly ad- • Write an account of the Iran/Iraq dressed by Western media? War (1980–1988). Which side did • Describe the natural environment of the Iraqi Kurds support? the south of the country as you see • In 1990, Iraq invaded and occupied it in this film. neighbouring Kuwait. The United • Iraq became part of the Arab Em- Nations condemned the invasion pire in the 600s A.D. and absorbed and imposed a trade embargo on Arab Muslim culture. Today, about Iraq. A coalition of thirty-nine na- seventy five per cent of Iraq’s tions, including the United States, people are Arabs. Iraq also has a opposed the invasion and sent large Kurdish population that has forces to the region. In early 1991, struggled on and off for self-gov- they defeated Iraq in the Persian ernment for many years. Iraq has Gulf War of 1991. Write an account eighteen provinces. Two Kurdish of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and political organizations control parts subsequent events. of northern Iraq, with the Kurdish • The world’s first known civilization groups operating under United developed along the Tigris and Nations protection. Other ethnic Euphrates rivers in what is now groups in Iraq include Armenians, Iraq. The ancient Greeks called part Assyrians, Turkomans and Yazidis. of Iraq and the surrounding region Iraq’s official language is , Mesopotamia (‘between rivers’) which is spoken throughout the ISSUE 36 ISSUE 36 SCREEN EDU SCREEN EDU C C ATION ATION

4 5 country. Kurdish is spoken in Kurd- Revolutionary Command Council ish areas. About ninety-five per cent (RCC), which was made up of top of Iraq’s people are Muslims. More Ba’ath Party officials. The president than half of the country’s Muslims chaired the RCC, and the RCC are Shiites (members of the Shiah determined government policy. A branch of Islam). The other Muslims Council of Ministers, appointed by belong to the Sunni division. Most the president, carried out govern- Arabs living southeast of Baghdad ment operations. Iraq’s legislature, are Shiites. Central and south-west- the National Assembly, had 250 ern Iraq is a mixture of Sunni and members elected to four-year Shiite Arab populations. The Kurds terms. The Ba’ath Party control- are Sunnites. Christians and other led elections through a govern- groups make up about 5 percent ment-appointed commission that of the Iraqi population. When the determined who could run for the Ba’ath Party ruled Iraq from 1968 Assembly. US officials have claimed till 2003, most of its high-ranking they hope democracy will spread members were Arab Sunni Mus- throughout the Middle-East from lims. Many Shiites resented the their intervention in Iraq. In what Sunni monopoly on governmental ways did the Ba’ath Party era con- power. What can you find out about travene the basic principles of de- the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, their mocracy? Do you think the region political, religious and historical will eventually become democratic divisions? in terms of its governance, judiciary • The cultural heritage of South Iraq and culture? was suppressed under Saddam • Iraq’s economy has depended Hussein. How has it begun to re- heavily on the export of oil. Iraq’s emerge? major oil fields are located in south- • Research the story of Gilgamesh ern Iraq near the Kuwait border, and the history of the Uruk people. and west of the city of Kirkuk in the • Iraq’s Constitution of 1970 states north. From the 1950s through to that Iraq is a republic. How- the 1970s, income produced by the ever, from 1968 till 2003, the ruling oil industry improved living condi- ISSUE 36

ISSUE 36 Ba’ath Party controlled all branches tions for Iraq’s people, but war has of the government and eliminated had a devastating effect on the

or restricted all political opposi- country. Trade routes have been SCREEN EDU SCREEN EDU tion. Under the 1970 Constitution, disrupted, ports closed, and facto- a president headed Iraq and was ries destroyed. In addition, the UN C C commander of its armed forces. trade embargo imposed in August ATION ATION The president was elected to an 1990 halted all oil exports from Iraq. indefinite term of office by the The embargo was partially lifted 6 7 in 1996. Hadi notes ruefully that France, Germany, Russia, and China whereabouts of Saddam’s family Comprehension Questions Answers despite having some of the largest said the war was unjustified without members and high ranking officials oil reserves in the world, queues for clear UN backing. in his government? 1. Why is the date 17 July 1968 significant? 1. It is the date on which Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party took control of Iraq. petrol stretch over two kilometers. • A young man interviewed by Hadi 2. Why is the date 9 April 2003 significant? 2. It is the date on which the coalition troops took control of central What can you find out about the After the initial strike on March 20, makes the bitter claim that Saddam 3. Who was Enkidu? Baghdad. We see Iraqis toppling statues of Saddam Hussein. current state of the oil industry and the US-led coalition continued its stole five years of his youth, forcing 4. Why is Samawa sometimes called the capi- 3. Enkidu was a friend of Gilgamesh. the economy in general in Iraq? campaign of heavy bombardment of him into prison and the army. He tal city of mass graves? 4. Saddam transported victims there. • Iraq was importing about seventy Baghdad. Tens of thousands of coali- desperately gestures at his tattered 5. What is the name of the organization exhum- 5. The Red Crescent Society per cent of its food before the 1990 tion ground troops advanced through shoes: ‘How can I build my future? ing mass graves in Samawa? 6. He is referring to the disproportionately high incidence of cancer, a direct UN trade embargo. What can you southern Iraq toward the city, some- We want a solution, stability, jobs ... 6. What specifically does Hadi mean when he result of Saddam’s use of chemical weapons (mustard gas, anthrax) and find out about the effects of meeting stiff resistance from Iraqi It’s the same injustice. There’s noth- refers to ‘the legacy of all our wars’? the US use of depleted uranium warheads during the first Gulf War. embargo on the civilian population forces. Coalition air and ground attacks ing new’. Imagine you are this man. 7. What was the Iraqi Intifada? 7. The Iraqi Intifada was an uprising against Saddam during the first Gulf of Iraq? also occurred elsewhere in Iraq. The Write a letter to Saddam Hussein, 8. What happens to Hadi and his sound record- War. • Hadi shows images of the Red coalition troops reached Baghdad in telling him of your suffering and ist when they attempt to film the bombing at 8. Hadi and his crew are arrested for five hours and his sound recordist is Crescent Society exhuming mass early April, and on April 9, they took your grievances. the Police Station? hit on the head. graves and trying to identify victims, control of central Baghdad. US officials 9. Which tribe appears to be ascendant in 9. The Abu-Hassan tribe appears to have power, particularly in determin- ‘the disappeared’. The remains of declared that the Hussein government Men With Guns Samawa? ing employment opportunities. the father of one of Hadi’s friends had been removed from power. 10 What is the name of the Japanese Festival of 10 Tanabata are discovered. What can you dis- Early in the documentary, Hadi films his Hope? cover about the origins and work- • An Iraqi man, when questioned uncle’s funeral, a ceremony marked by ings of the Red Crescent Society? about the presence of Coalition the ubiquitous presence of guns. He • Divide the class into small groups troops, says that he would like them explains that guns are used to cel- to research and report on the to withdraw ‘in a couple of days’, ebrate births, weddings and funerals following people: Prime Minister but he acknowledges wryly that the and that to participate in these rites, it The dramatic mourning rituals of is conducted quite brazenly. this moment? Ibrahim al-Jaafari, President Jalal decision is up to the coalition. How is necessary to have a gun. Samawa were suppressed by Saddam. • We see Japanese troops building a • The film ends with Hadi’s wedding, Talabani, Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, difficult will it be for the coalition to Now, with his demise, the ceremonies fence around Uruk to protect the re- a ceremony typically suggestive Massoud Barzani, Muqtada al-Sadr, extricate itself from Iraq? Men justify their guns by talking in take place on an almost nightly basis. mains of the ancient city. The Japa- of hope for the future. What do we Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, and Iyad • Has life for the average Iraqi im- terms of protection and the lack of We see young boys participating in the nese soldier says he is privileged learn of his bride? Allawi. Refer to the web sites at the proved since the US invasion? official security. The Samawa jail, for chest-beating self-flagellation. Hadi to protect Uruk. The celebration of • How do women figure in this film? end of this guide for possible start- • What can you find out about Iraqi instance, is over-crowded, with ‘non- observes, ‘The life of Iraqis is over- Tanabata, the Japanese Festival ing points. death and casualty statistics from existent or inadequate authority and whelmed by sadness’. of Hope, is an attempt to rebuild Samawa’s Future • Research the UN oil-for-food pro- the last two years? structure, no Ministry of the Interior morale in the shattered community. gram. • Iyad Allawi’s interim government or General Directorate of Police’. The • Essay topic: ‘From an outsider’s When asked what he wishes for, an ‘The collapse of Saddam Hussein’s • What is a no-fly zone? was appointed by the Coalition. people exist in a state of lawlessness. perspective, this appears to be illiterate Iraqi boy, unable to write regime is a very big chance for us to What can you find out about its We see a young boy arrested for pos- a culture driven by a toxic mix of down his wish, says shyly but with make a change, but from what I have The War and the Coalition constitution? sessing a gun. He asks, apparently machismo, grief and guilt.’ Discuss. conviction, ‘security and stability for seen, we have only just begun. It is a Presence • Debate topic: ‘US intervention in genuinely perplexed, ‘What’s wrong? Iraqis’. The Japanese soldier smiles complex problem to introduce democ- Iraq against UN directives was Are you the government?’ Characters warmly and says, ‘Me too’. How racy here. But I hope we can do it. I ‘Where’s the freedom Bush promised wrong.’ would you describe the Japanese am worried about the future, but I have the Iraqi people? What about human • The conflict in Iraq is referred to as Hadi films in a hospital where gun-shot • Majid, known as “the Wise Fool of soldier Hadi films? What is his decided to stay in Samawa. I now have rights? Where’s the prosperity Bush ‘the war of liberation’. What other victims languish. A man who has lost Samawa”, conducts imaginary card attitude to the people and the situa- the chance to say things about this promised? We were oppressed, Bush terms are popularly used in the his leg claims to have been shot in front games, talking in riddles and poetic tion? government, help make the change and came to release us. Where’s relief? Our press and by the Coalition? of a policeman. From there, Hadi ven- analogies: ‘people are tired, they • Homeless families live in the Secu- contribute to the rebuilding of Samawa rights? Are we rich?’ tures to the morgue, where we are of- want a chance to rest and rebuild’. rity Building where Saddam tortured from inside Iraq and not in exile’. Hadi Saddam fered a brief glimpse of a blood-stained His madness allows him to say and executed people. As the Mahood On March 20, 2003 (March 19 in the corpse on a slab, the result of a dispute what others are too afraid to speak children describe the cells and the United States), US-led forces launched ‘As if he [Saddam Hussein] cared about between brothers. of. What do you think he means by types of torture that once occurred • What motivates Hadi to return to an air attack against Baghdad, the the country. He cared about his dollars, his repeated references to Marie there, they say, without any sense Iraq? capital of Iraq and its largest city. US jewellery and comfort …’ Dutch troops have replaced US sol- Antoinette? Is there anything analo- of the irony of their statement, ‘We • How can you explain his intention ISSUE 36

ISSUE 36 officials said the military campaign was diers in Samawa (and now Australian gous about the French Revolution live in Security’. Write an imaginary to remain in Iraq? intended to overthrow Saddam Hussein • Hadi claims that Saddam ‘sabo- troops have replaced the Dutch), but and the current situation in Iraq? account of one of these children’s • Essay topic: ‘Hadi’s return to Iraq

and eliminate Iraq’s ability to produce taged the Iraqi mentality’. What do the city remains dangerous. The police, • Ahmed is a fifteen-year-old boy daily routines. is ultimately a mad expression of SCREEN EDU SCREEN EDU weapons of mass destruction. British you think this means? still in training, are afraid to patrol cer- trained as a ‘cement carpenter’ and patriotism’. Discuss. and Australian forces participated in • What is the current status of tain districts, and while the Dutch try to formerly working for his father. Now Iraq’s Women: ‘Her face • Bribery and corruption are rife in C C the war effort. The United States began Saddam’s trial? What are the exact support the establishment of local law there is no cement, so he makes his will light the way …’ Samawa, with a full-blown class ATION ATION the war without UN support. Although charges against him? If he is found and order, the situation seems intracta- living selling bullets. He buys a bul- system and widely entrenched a number of countries, including Spain guilty, what sentence do you think ble. A Dutch soldier patiently explains let for 200 dinars and then sells it • Hadi is re-united with his mother, nepotism: it is claimed the Abu- and Portugal, expressed support for he should receive? to an aggrieved Iraqi, ‘We cannot give for 250. Describe the scenes at the presumably after a separation of Hassan tribe only employ others 8 the war effort, many others notably • What can you find out about the everyone a gun’. markets, where illegal trade in arms fourteen years. What do we see of from their tribe. What steps need to 9 in 1996. Hadi notes ruefully that France, Germany, Russia, and China whereabouts of Saddam’s family Comprehension Questions Answers despite having some of the largest said the war was unjustified without members and high ranking officials oil reserves in the world, queues for clear UN backing. in his government? 1. Why is the date 17 July 1968 significant? 1. It is the date on which Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party took control of Iraq. petrol stretch over two kilometers. • A young man interviewed by Hadi 2. Why is the date 9 April 2003 significant? 2. It is the date on which the coalition troops took control of central What can you find out about the After the initial strike on March 20, makes the bitter claim that Saddam 3. Who was Enkidu? Baghdad. We see Iraqis toppling statues of Saddam Hussein. current state of the oil industry and the US-led coalition continued its stole five years of his youth, forcing 4. Why is Samawa sometimes called the capi- 3. Enkidu was a friend of Gilgamesh. the economy in general in Iraq? campaign of heavy bombardment of him into prison and the army. He tal city of mass graves? 4. Saddam transported victims there. • Iraq was importing about seventy Baghdad. Tens of thousands of coali- desperately gestures at his tattered 5. What is the name of the organization exhum- 5. The Red Crescent Society per cent of its food before the 1990 tion ground troops advanced through shoes: ‘How can I build my future? ing mass graves in Samawa? 6. He is referring to the disproportionately high incidence of cancer, a direct UN trade embargo. What can you southern Iraq toward the city, some- We want a solution, stability, jobs ... 6. What specifically does Hadi mean when he result of Saddam’s use of chemical weapons (mustard gas, anthrax) and find out about the effects of the times meeting stiff resistance from Iraqi It’s the same injustice. There’s noth- refers to ‘the legacy of all our wars’? the US use of depleted uranium warheads during the first Gulf War. embargo on the civilian population forces. Coalition air and ground attacks ing new’. Imagine you are this man. 7. What was the Iraqi Intifada? 7. The Iraqi Intifada was an uprising against Saddam during the first Gulf of Iraq? also occurred elsewhere in Iraq. The Write a letter to Saddam Hussein, 8. What happens to Hadi and his sound record- War. • Hadi shows images of the Red coalition troops reached Baghdad in telling him of your suffering and ist when they attempt to film the bombing at 8. Hadi and his crew are arrested for five hours and his sound recordist is Crescent Society exhuming mass early April, and on April 9, they took your grievances. the Police Station? hit on the head. graves and trying to identify victims, control of central Baghdad. US officials 9. Which tribe appears to be ascendant in 9. The Abu-Hassan tribe appears to have power, particularly in determin- ‘the disappeared’. The remains of declared that the Hussein government Men With Guns Samawa? ing employment opportunities. the father of one of Hadi’s friends had been removed from power. 10 What is the name of the Japanese Festival of 10 Tanabata are discovered. What can you dis- Early in the documentary, Hadi films his Hope? cover about the origins and work- • An Iraqi man, when questioned uncle’s funeral, a ceremony marked by ings of the Red Crescent Society? about the presence of Coalition the ubiquitous presence of guns. He • Divide the class into small groups troops, says that he would like them explains that guns are used to cel- to research and report on the to withdraw ‘in a couple of days’, ebrate births, weddings and funerals following people: Prime Minister but he acknowledges wryly that the and that to participate in these rites, it The dramatic mourning rituals of is conducted quite brazenly. this moment? Ibrahim al-Jaafari, President Jalal decision is up to the coalition. How is necessary to have a gun. Samawa were suppressed by Saddam. • We see Japanese troops building a • The film ends with Hadi’s wedding, Talabani, Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, difficult will it be for the coalition to Now, with his demise, the ceremonies fence around Uruk to protect the re- a ceremony typically suggestive Massoud Barzani, Muqtada al-Sadr, extricate itself from Iraq? Men justify their guns by talking in take place on an almost nightly basis. mains of the ancient city. The Japa- of hope for the future. What do we Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, and Iyad • Has life for the average Iraqi im- terms of protection and the lack of We see young boys participating in the nese soldier says he is privileged learn of his bride? Allawi. Refer to the web sites at the proved since the US invasion? official security. The Samawa jail, for chest-beating self-flagellation. Hadi to protect Uruk. The celebration of • How do women figure in this film? end of this guide for possible start- • What can you find out about Iraqi instance, is over-crowded, with ‘non- observes, ‘The life of Iraqis is over- Tanabata, the Japanese Festival ing points. death and casualty statistics from existent or inadequate authority and whelmed by sadness’. of Hope, is an attempt to rebuild Samawa’s Future • Research the UN oil-for-food pro- the last two years? structure, no Ministry of the Interior morale in the shattered community. gram. • Iyad Allawi’s interim government or General Directorate of Police’. The • Essay topic: ‘From an outsider’s When asked what he wishes for, an ‘The collapse of Saddam Hussein’s • What is a no-fly zone? was appointed by the Coalition. people exist in a state of lawlessness. perspective, this appears to be illiterate Iraqi boy, unable to write regime is a very big chance for us to What can you find out about its We see a young boy arrested for pos- a culture driven by a toxic mix of down his wish, says shyly but with make a change, but from what I have The War and the Coalition constitution? sessing a gun. He asks, apparently machismo, grief and guilt.’ Discuss. conviction, ‘security and stability for seen, we have only just begun. It is a Presence • Debate topic: ‘US intervention in genuinely perplexed, ‘What’s wrong? Iraqis’. The Japanese soldier smiles complex problem to introduce democ- Iraq against UN directives was Are you the government?’ Characters warmly and says, ‘Me too’. How racy here. But I hope we can do it. I ‘Where’s the freedom Bush promised wrong.’ would you describe the Japanese am worried about the future, but I have the Iraqi people? What about human • The conflict in Iraq is referred to as Hadi films in a hospital where gun-shot • Majid, known as “the Wise Fool of soldier Hadi films? What is his decided to stay in Samawa. I now have rights? Where’s the prosperity Bush ‘the war of liberation’. What other victims languish. A man who has lost Samawa”, conducts imaginary card attitude to the people and the situa- the chance to say things about this promised? We were oppressed, Bush terms are popularly used in the his leg claims to have been shot in front games, talking in riddles and poetic tion? government, help make the change and came to release us. Where’s relief? Our press and by the Coalition? of a policeman. From there, Hadi ven- analogies: ‘people are tired, they • Homeless families live in the Secu- contribute to the rebuilding of Samawa rights? Are we rich?’ tures to the morgue, where we are of- want a chance to rest and rebuild’. rity Building where Saddam tortured from inside Iraq and not in exile’. Hadi Saddam fered a brief glimpse of a blood-stained His madness allows him to say and executed people. As the Mahood On March 20, 2003 (March 19 in the corpse on a slab, the result of a dispute what others are too afraid to speak children describe the cells and the United States), US-led forces launched ‘As if he [Saddam Hussein] cared about between brothers. of. What do you think he means by types of torture that once occurred • What motivates Hadi to return to an air attack against Baghdad, the the country. He cared about his dollars, his repeated references to Marie there, they say, without any sense Iraq? capital of Iraq and its largest city. US jewellery and comfort …’ Dutch troops have replaced US sol- Antoinette? Is there anything analo- of the irony of their statement, ‘We • How can you explain his intention ISSUE 36

ISSUE 36 officials said the military campaign was diers in Samawa (and now Australian gous about the French Revolution live in Security’. Write an imaginary to remain in Iraq? intended to overthrow Saddam Hussein • Hadi claims that Saddam ‘sabo- troops have replaced the Dutch), but and the current situation in Iraq? account of one of these children’s • Essay topic: ‘Hadi’s return to Iraq

and eliminate Iraq’s ability to produce taged the Iraqi mentality’. What do the city remains dangerous. The police, • Ahmed is a fifteen-year-old boy daily routines. is ultimately a mad expression of SCREEN EDU SCREEN EDU weapons of mass destruction. British you think this means? still in training, are afraid to patrol cer- trained as a ‘cement carpenter’ and patriotism’. Discuss. and Australian forces participated in • What is the current status of tain districts, and while the Dutch try to formerly working for his father. Now Iraq’s Women: ‘Her face • Bribery and corruption are rife in C C the war effort. The United States began Saddam’s trial? What are the exact support the establishment of local law there is no cement, so he makes his will light the way …’ Samawa, with a full-blown class ATION ATION the war without UN support. Although charges against him? If he is found and order, the situation seems intracta- living selling bullets. He buys a bul- system and widely entrenched a number of countries, including Spain guilty, what sentence do you think ble. A Dutch soldier patiently explains let for 200 dinars and then sells it • Hadi is re-united with his mother, nepotism: it is claimed the Abu- and Portugal, expressed support for he should receive? to an aggrieved Iraqi, ‘We cannot give for 250. Describe the scenes at the presumably after a separation of Hassan tribe only employ others 8 the war effort, many others notably • What can you find out about the everyone a gun’. markets, where illegal trade in arms fourteen years. What do we see of from their tribe. What steps need to 9 be taken to address this situation? References www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_ • One man Hadi talks to discusses east/iraq/index.html the urban–rural divide in Iraq, Books www.iraq.net saying that in effect, Iraq is two www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/iraq.html countries. He suggests Samawa Liam Anderson and Gareth Stansfield, is a city of education, arts, poetry The Future of Iraq: Dictatorship, De- Iraq, My Country (2005) and heritage: ‘It could become an mocracy or Division? Palgrave Macmil- Director: Hadi Mahood international tourism and cultural lan, New York, 2004. Writer: Hadi Mahood centre’. Do you think, from what Producer: Philippa Campey you witness in the documentary, Alex Danchev and John MacMillan, Editor: Ken Sallows this is probable? What would need The Iraq War and Democratic Politics, Production Manager: Elise West to happen before Samawa can Routledge, London, 2005. Cinematographer: Zaiad Turky reach such potential? Sound Recordist: Fadi Fadhle • What images of hope does the Eric Davies, Memories of State: Politics, Narrators: Dean Linguey, Eugene Matti documentary attempt to offer to- History and Collective Identity in Mod- Produced in Association with SBS wards the film’s end? (Consider, for ern Iraq, University of California Press, Independent, Commissioning example, shots of a girls’ school re- Berkeley, 2005. Editor: Ned Lander opened, computer lessons, children Financed by Film Finance Corporation re-learning the National Anthem, Larry Everest, Oil, Power and Empire: Australia Limited Ahmed – the boy selling bullets Iraq and the US Global Agenda, Com- Duration: 52 minutes – resuming carpentry work) mon Courage Press, Monroe, 2004. • Essay topic: ‘Rights aren’t lost if This study guide was produced by people demand them’. Discuss. Tareq Ismael and Jacqueline Ismael, ATOM. For more information about The Iraqi Predicament: People in the ATOM study guides, The Education The Film Quagmire of Power Politics, Pluto Shop, The Speakers’ Bureau or Screen Press, London, 2004. Hub (the daily online film and television • Write a brief account of the film for newsletter) visit our web site: www. a TV guide. Raphael Israeli, The Iraq War: Hidden metromagazine.com.au or email: • Design a poster to promote the film. Agendas and Babylonian Intrigue – The [email protected] Annotate your poster, explaining Regional Impact on Shiites, Kurds, your choices and decisions. Sunnis and Arabs, Sussex Academic Notice: An educational institution may • Describe the style of the film, and Press, Brighton, 2004. make copies of all or part of this Study the relationship between the film’s Guide, provided that it only makes and style and its content. Matthew McEllester, Blinded By the uses copies as reasonably required for • Does the film demonstrate an obvi- Sunlight: Emerging From the Prison of its own educational, non-commercial, ous bias? Saddam’s Iraq, Harper Collins, New classroom purposes and does not sell • Choose six adjectives to describe York, 2004. or lend such copies. the tone and mood of this docu- mentary. Paul McGeough, Mission Impossible: • Do you think the film-maker set out The Sheiks, The US and The Future of with a specific agenda? Iraq, Black Inc., Melbourne, 2004. • Suggest an alternative title for this documentary. Rageh Omaar, Revolution Day: The Hu- • How does the narration function? man Story of the Battle For Iraq, Viking, Why might the film-makers have London, 2004. chosen to use two narrators? • Do you think the film would be well- Peter Wilson, Long Drive Through A received in Iraq? Short War: Reporting On The Iraq War, • Make a graphic outline of the film’s Hardie Grant Books, Melbourne, 2004.

ISSUE 36 structure. • What do the images of young men Web Sites leaping into the Euphrates River SCREEN EDU from the bridge at Samawa sug- www.iraqigovernment.org gest? What mood is evoked by www.iraqdaily.com

C these images? www.cbc.ca/news/iraq ATION • Are there other aspects of the cur- www.iraqinews.com rent situation in Iraq that you feel www.guardian.co.uk/iraq the film-makers needed to ad- www.occupationwatch.org 10 dress? www.npr.org/iraq