Iraq Only

Check out my interview with The Muslim Vibe

I’ve been working on a screenplay set in Iraq, and I decided to workshop one of the scenes to see if what’s on the paper is translating well on screen, and what may need to be changed. I cast local actors from Dallas, and shot the scene in English. The crew consisted of myself as the director and cinematographer, a sound recordist, and a production assistant. The final film will be in Arabic of course, and while this was never meant to be shared because it’s essentially a prototype, I figured why not share it so you all know what I’m slowly developing. - Ali

Thanks!

Karbala 1437 

The Islamic art and architecture. Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala, Iraq.2015

Muharram Rituals in Najaf Holy City

Wadi Al-Salam, largest cemetery in the world. Najaf, Iraq. 2011

the Marshes of southern Iraq - Al-Ahwar

مَن لم يذُق طعمَ العراق فمالهُ من قهوة الأحزان غير الرائحة إن العراق حكايةُ الجُرحِ الذي ينمو على رمل الأماني المالحة

آخر صورة للفنان جواد سليم مقابل نصب الحرية الذي مازال تحت الانشاء، بغداد، ١٩٦١

Pergamon Museum by Ancient Wonders Via Flickr: From Wiki Bull in colourful glazed bricks. This colorful striding lion of glazed brick with its mouth opened in a threatening roar, once decorated a side of the ‘Processional Way’ in ancient Babylon (the Biblical city of Babel). The 'Processional Way’ led out of the city through a massive gate named for the Mesopotamian goddess of love and war, Ishtar, whose symbol was the lion. Each year, during the celebration of the great New Year Festival, the images of the city’s deities were carried out through the Ishtar Gate and along the 'Processional Way’ past some 120 lions and 575 dragons and bulls, in 13 rows, on the gate, such as this one to a special festival house north of the city. Not all of these reliefs were visible at the same time, however, for the level of the street was raised more than once; and originally even the lowest rows, which were irregularly laid, may have been treated as foundation deposits. The Iraq antiquities department reconstructed the thoroughfare at one of the higher levels. The lion symbolizes power and the Babylonians believed that it was Ishtar that gave them their glory. Robert Koldewey extensively excavated Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon beginning in 1899 and the Deutsche Orientgesellschaft. Among the tremendous complex of ruins was the great Ishtar Gate, beautifully decorated with a series of bulls and dragons in enameled, colored brick. It was Nebuchadnezzar who said, “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

© Ali Arkady

Guys, please spread and share this and vote !! Ali Kareem aka aliofbabylon, a Iraqi filmmaker is participating in this big international contest and needs your help to win. He is placed 19th so far and there are more than 1000 behind him but he still needs our help to reach the 1st place. We all talk about how the arab world should stand together all the time, let’s make it happen, he’s the only middle eastern contestant, wouldn’t be amazing if he won? So go ahead vote vote vote and share and spread it as much as you can! Please please please, let’s walk side by side. (Make sure to press play to be able to vote)

© Shepard Sherbell

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