By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: James Longley
Country: iraq, united_states
Year: 2006
Running time: 94
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492466/
Bruce says: “I would recommend this film for groups of people to see together, not so they might learn something new but as
a catalyst for discussion on Iraq and its future. To adequately discuss the future one must necessarily have some knowledge about the past. Don’t expect to find much of that in IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS. This film is totally focused on the present. Fragments is a double entendre. Iraq is now rubble. What we have not bombed, the insurgents have polished off. Hundred of thousands of people are homeless and the infrastructure is damaged beyond repair. Iraq is also more culturally fractionalized now than it was during the 35 years of Saddam Hussein.
“The film is divided into three parts. Part one features Mohammed, an eleven year old Sunni who works in an auto repair shop to help support his family. He is partially raised by his boss who beats him. He has pent five years getting through first grade which tells us that there is something else going on. We don’t know if Mohammed is learning disabled, psychologically damaged, traumatized by abuse or just plain dumb. And that is a good example of why IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS is so frustrating.
There is no context for the viewer to make any judgments. Gathering impressions is all that one can do.
“Part two is filmed in Naseriyeh concerns the Shia in the South. The Shia are the most revolutionary Muslims. We see mass gatherings with self flagellation and synchronized marching, echoes of gigantic Third Reich assemblies garnished with an additional pagan aspect. A seller of alcohol is removed by force form the local market in an effort to ‘close every door of depravity brought by America.’ When told that the occupation forces have their best interests at heart, one man replies ‘What kind of fool would believe such a thing?’ ‘We have been saved from one oppression and you have brought another.’
“Part three is entitled Kurdish Spring. Here a man mentions that the future of Iraq is in three pieces. A child asks ‘How can you cut a country into pieces?’ This part features a Kurdish sheep farmer who ponders the future of his family carrying on his profession. Only one son seems vaguely interested. We watch the Kurds vote and finally see a few women participating in public activity. The only other woman visible in this film is the wife of the man who sold alcohol; she is filmed pleading with his captors.
“IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS seems a labor of love for director James Longely. He is also listed as producer, sound technician, cameraman, music coordinator, and editor. 3 cats”