This remarkable drama was shot under extreme conditions in Iraq in 2004.
During aerial bombing of Baghdad in 2003, a mental asylum is hit, liberating its inmates onto the war-torn streets. AHLAAM follows the stories of two of them – past and present.
Unlike the recent crop of Hollywood depictions of Iraq, AHLAAM is told from ground level and the Iraqis’ experiences before and after their ‘liberation’.
“Mohamed Al-Daradji’s impressive achievement is worthy of true admiration. Pic was made under all but impossible conditions with its cast and crew subject to kidnappings from both sides, and yet Al-Daradji manages to create an ambitious work that’s both harrowing and beautiful.” Variety.com