New, Innovative Film Shows Quirks and Blemishes,
Laughter and Anger, Grief and Hope
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- VoicesOfIraq.com, which provides a
"sneak peak" at a new documentary through which the Iraqi people candidly
discuss their hopes and fears of life in their turbulent, post-Saddam country,
went live today.
The documentary, entitled "Voices of Iraq," was filmed and directed by the
Iraqis themselves -- thousands of them, from all walks of life, all over their
country. The producers, who distributed more than 150 digital video cameras
across the country, condensed more than 400 hours of footage into an
unprecedented, and startling, look at life in a war zone.
"Distributing 150 cameras throughout the country opened a window on Iraq
that has never been seen," said producer Eric Manes. "Events that we have
previously seen on U.S. newscasts, we now see through a different
perspective."
The Iraqi filmmakers give us a peak at places that are off-limits to
mainstream journalists: into the kitchens and cars, cabs and caravans, and
hearts and memories of a people who have lived under great oppression but
still laugh, learn and hope.
After 24 years of silence under Saddam Hussein and the news media's
inability to move far beyond Baghdad's "Green Zone," Iraqis take advantage of
their new freedoms to tell us exactly what they think of Americans, democracy,
jobs, war, and Abu Ghraib. They ponder women's rights, the role of religion in
government, mass graves, Arnold Schwarzenegger and their future. The Iraqi
filmmakers chose whom to talk to, interview, film and capture unawares.
The film makes evident that American opinions -- whatever they might be --
are based on filtered and occasionally faulty information about the Iraqi
people.
Former MTV producers Eric Manes and Martin Kunert partnered with actor and
Gulf War vet Archie Drury to distribute the more than 150 digital video
cameras across Iraq. Beginning amidst the Falluja uprising in April, going
through the marshlands in the South and Kurdish communities in the North and
ending in September of this year, thousands of ordinary Iraqis became
filmmakers to reveal the richness, complexity and emotion of their lives.
"Iraq is at a crossroads," said Drury. "In the run up to historic
elections in January, the vast majority of Iraqis see the choice they will
have to make: toward Iraqi democracy or toward separatism and violence. This
is a film about the choices Iraqis desire for themselves."
With a theatrical release planned for later this year, "Voices of Iraq"
will be screened in October for select audiences in New York City, Washington
D.C. and Los Angeles.
CONTACT: Mark Bennett, direct: +1-202-261-2872, cell: +1-202-256-8824, or
Natalie Wyeth, direct: +1-202-261-2871, cell: +1-703-403-3327, both for Booyah
Productions.
SOURCE Booyah Productions
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Related links:
http://www.voicesofiraq.com
CONTACT:
Mark Bennett, direct: +1-202-261-2872, cell:
+1-202-256-8824, or Natalie Wyeth, direct: +1-202-261-2871, cell:
+1-703-403-3327, both for Booyah Productions
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