Alwan for the Arts and 3rd I NY Present:

FORGET BAGHDAD by Samir

Documentary |Switzerland |2003 |111 min | Arabic, English and Hebrew with English subtitles

For trailer, click here.

Screening followed by discussion with Director

Suggested Contribution: $10 General Admission | $5 Students & Seniors

Forget Baghdad tells the forgotten story of four Baghdadi-Jews, all former members of the Iraqi communist party, who were forced to emigrate at Israel's founding. The film explores what it's like to change your country, forget your culture and language and "become the enemy of your own past." All four protagonists are self-described Mizrahi living in a country dominated by Ashkenazi Jews. All express varying degrees of nostalgia for the past and cultural alienation in the present. The divided identities of these four men - Jews in Baghdad and Arabs in Israel - depict a much larger tale of global, political and cultural disorder.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Samir is an Iraqi-born writer, director and producer living in Switzerland. He attended the School of Design in Zurich, completed an apprenticeship as a typographer and subsequently trained as a cameraman with Condor Films. He has worked as a freelance director and cinematographer as well as a writer and member of Videoladen Zurich. Since 1994, he has helmed the Dschoint Ventschr film production company, where he has directed and/or co-produced over ninety features and documentaries addressing cross-cultural themes.

Selected Filmography

• Iraqi Odyssey (2014). Switzerland's entry for the 2016 Academy Awards in the foreign language film category
• Escher, the angels and the Fibonacci numbers (2010)
• Snow White (2005).
• Interim Language (2003).
• Forget Baghdad (2002)
• Norman Plays Golf (2001).

Co-Sponsor

3rd i New York's monthly film/video/media salon is curated by local filmmakers and cultural producers to showcase the works of independent media makers of South Asian, Central Asian and Arab descent. Providing alternative forums for these filmmakers who often have limited venues to showcase their work not only increases their visibility, but also provides a platform for cultural and social engagement for peers and audiences alike.

3rd i NY's Film Program is made possible in part with public funds from the Fund for Creative Communities, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, both in partnership with the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

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Alwan's programs are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council of the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Last updated: 2015-11-04 22:31:45