Introduction

Voices of Iraq is a 2004 documentary film about Iraq, created by distributing cameras to the subjects of a film, thus enabling subjects to film themselves. To preserve its innovative filmmaking, Voices of Iraq was added to the permanent collection of Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Outline

150 digital videos are distributed to everyday Iraqis, who are encouraged to record their feelings about their lives. They are also encouraged to pass the cameras along to get as many Iraqis across the country to participate in this project as possible. The cameras are in circulation from April to September 2004, shortly after the American bombing of Fallujah and the fall of the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein; the resulting footage was compiled to become this film. Most of the subjects talk about issues around Hussein versus the Americans, and whether their lives and of Iraqis in general are better off now or then, their thoughts about democracy in general and how it applies to Iraq, and what they want to see for their future. A few also steer clear of politics altogether, wanting to focus on happier things. As the cameras move around the country, regional differences emerge, such as the Kurds of the north, who were persecuted by Hussein, having a unique perspective. Differences also emerge based on individual exposure to Hussein and/or his associates, or to what recently occurred in Fallujah. This digital camera footage is interspersed with other videos, including propaganda video by jihadis, and found unofficial videos recorded by Hussein’s regime documenting their actions while in power, and with western media headlines about the Iraqi situation which has largely shaped the western view of life in Iraq.

Producer Eric Manes explained, “Without Iraqis as the directors, we would have seen Iraq and its people only through the filter of Western eyes. We certainly would not have had the access or the emotional intimacy that was captured in the film.”

Production & Filming Details

• Presenter(s):
• Director(s):
  • People of Iraq
  • Martin Kunert … (uncredited)
• Producer(s):
  • Archie Drury … co-producer
  • Martin Kunert … co-producer
  • Eric Manes … producer
  • John Robison … executive producer
• Writer(s):
• Music:
  • Euphrates
• Cinematography:
  • People of Iraq
• Editor(s):
  • Martin Kunert
  • Stephen Mark
  • Robin Russell
• Production:
  • Booya Studios
  • Voice of Freedom LLC
• Distributor(s):
  • Arkles Entertainment (Australia, 2005)(theatrical)
  • Becker Entertainment (Non-US, 2005)(theatrical)
  • Magnolia Pictures (United States, 2004)(theatrical)
• Release Date: 29 October 2004.
• Running time: 80 minutes.
• Rating: Unrated.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)