The Dreams of Sparrows

Director: Hayder Mousa Daffar, Haydar Daffar
Studio: GO-KART RECORDS
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
The Dreams Of Sparrows follows Iraqi director Hayder Mousa Daffar and his team of contributing filmmakers as they share their vision of life in Baghdad under the US occupation. The film is dedicated to Sa'ad Fakher, associate producer, killed during the production. This is the historic first feature documentary from the IRAQeye Group, a collaboration between American and Iraqi filmmakers. After the capture of Saddam, DAFFAR'S search for the truth takes him through all walks of life in Iraq, and finally into the arts and culture of Baghdad, drawing the viewer into powerful encounters with Iraqi painters, writers and filmmakers. As the film continues, the interviews veer towards the politics of occupation and resistance, concluding with the battle over Falluja and the devastating death of one of the crew members. In somber self interviews made after the production, the filmmakers reveal the dramatic changes in their beliefs caused not only by the situation in Iraq, but also the process of documenting it. "All artists, in Iraq or in the world don't care about anything, just looking for the beauty in this world, and truth" - Hayder Mousa Daffa

The Dreams of Sparrows
Average customer rating:

iraqis on iraq

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN OR HOW THE TRUTH HURTS

"Baghdad is hell."

Excellent, honest, refreshing, must see. Beware false reviews...

This is how all docs should be

The Dreams of Sparrows
Director: Hayder Mousa Daffar , and Haydar Daffar
Manufacturer: GO-KART RECORDS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007WQHGM
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Description

The Dreams Of Sparrows follows Iraqi director Hayder Mousa Daffar and his team of contributing filmmakers as they share their vision of life in Baghdad under the US occupation. The film is dedicated to Sa'ad Fakher, associate producer, killed during the production. This is the historic first feature documentary from the IRAQeye Group, a collaboration between American and Iraqi filmmakers. After the capture of Saddam, DAFFAR'S search for the truth takes him through all walks of life in Iraq, and finally into the arts and culture of Baghdad, drawing the viewer into powerful encounters with Iraqi painters, writers and filmmakers. As the film continues, the interviews veer towards the politics of occupation and resistance, concluding with the battle over Falluja and the devastating death of one of the crew members. In somber self interviews made after the production, the filmmakers reveal the dramatic changes in their beliefs caused not only by the situation in Iraq, but also the process of documenting it. "All artists, in Iraq or in the world don't care about anything, just looking for the beauty in this world, and truth" - Hayder Mousa Daffa

Customer Reviews:

iraqis on iraq.......2007-01-25

A group of Iraqi filmmakers directed by Hayder Mousa Daffar document life in Iraq since the fall of Saddam and the entrenchment of the American occupation. I could not detect the slightest ideological slant in this film, the gist of which is captured in the words of one person who said that he had one sentence for Americans: "Baghdad is hell, really is hell." Based upon this film, you can be sure of two truths, that Iraqis hated Saddam and are glad he is gone, and that they detest the American occupation and will be glad when we are gone. After all, observes one man, "why would America be here if they did not expect to benefit?" International diplomacy is not rooted in altruism. In a tragic metaphor of the situation in Iraq now, associate producer Sa'ad Fakher was killed when he fled Iraqis who shot at his car, only to be massacred in a hail of bullets after he turned around and drove straight into an American ambush. His friends counted 122 bullet holes in his car. In Arabic with English subtitles.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN OR HOW THE TRUTH HURTS.......2006-02-19

I bought this DVD to see what the situation in Iraq is from the viewpoint of Iraqi Independent filmmakers. This hard hitting and emotional work is one of the best films I have ever seen. It is truly a great artistic work straight from the heart and soul of director Hayder Mousa Daffar and his assistants. The camera work is excellent, especially considering the conditions under which it was shot. It presents the true suffering of the Iraqi people as their country and world disintegrates around them. Its starts with a scene that depicts the birth of a child and then has a series of many interviews with Iraqis from all walks of life from Taxi drivers to nuthouse inmates to ex-soldiers and the eye opening comments of children and the cries and pleas of desperate women. Acute problems with gasoline and electric shortages and how these people struggle from day to day is graphically depicted and very sad. The fate of the Palestinians is unbelievable.

It is not by any means an anti-American diatribe but really leaves the viewer quite stunned. It is one of the most effective examples of the power of cinema ever created. It is also one of the very best documentaries I have ever seen and it moved me to tears and heartbreak. It is dedicated to the memory of Sa'ad Fakher, a cheerful soul and a musician who was helping with the video. Sa'ad was killed while the documentary was being made. At the very end a gaunt and hollow eyed Hayder speaks into a mirror in summation. This moment captures a feeling of despair that I could barely watch or confront in my own conscience. I really am having difficulty describing it. It is a great work of art and a triumph of Independent film. It is in Arabic and subtitled. All conventional US networks refused to air it. Watch this and watch it again. You will never forget it. If you want a sanitized little piece that makes you feel good about war, look elsewhere.

"Baghdad is hell.".......2006-01-29

The documentary "Dreams of Sparrows" is the first film from Iraqi filmmaker Hayder Mousa Daffar. Daffar states, "I wanted to show the world what life was like in Iraq." Those fortunate enough to stumble across this film certainly gain at least a brief, painful glimpse of daily life in Iraq.

Daffar and his associates interview a number of Iraqis and travel to several locations. Most of those interviewed are optimistic about Saddam's removal from power--although a few interviewed Iraqis start swearing when they hear the name 'George Bush'. But as the film wears on, months go by, and optimism changes to despair as the daily conditions worsen. Those standing in long lines for petrol are interviewed, and the mood isn't pretty. We see glimpses of life in a private girls' school in Baghdad, a temporary shelter for the homeless, a Sadr City insane asylum, and a Palestinian refugee camp. Palestinian refugees were welcomed by Saddam, but were turfed out of their homes after the U.S. invasion. When the film was made in 2003, these Palestinian refugees had spent 8 pitiful months in tents. One man asks, "Where is the democracy and the freedom?"

Members of the General Union of Writers in Iraq present their philosophical interpretations of the current situation, and one man explains the insurgency as an inevitable consequence, "When you provoke a people against their leader, you will start a revolution." There are even a few shots of U.S. troops. Some are protecting a petrol station--others are seen storming a home, and still others are seen chatting with Iraqi children.

"Dreams of Sparrows" has its amateurish moments, but overall it's a fascinating glimpse at a tragic situation. The film begins with a cheesy reenactment (just like those appalling history reenactments), and while it's understood what the filmmaker is trying to say--the film would have been a lot better without the reenactment. A word of warning--there are a few graphic scenes involving humans and animals. The film takes us to the site of mass graves in Fallujah, and dead and starving animals are a common occurrence in the film. In English and Arabic--displacedhuman

Excellent, honest, refreshing, must see. Beware false reviews..........2005-07-20

When I bought and watched this film, I was blown away by the original and raw nature of its content. What one reviewer writes in his thinly veiled marketing for a "competing" film is actually what I found to be great about this movie. It is made by a small independant group, and is, to its credit, not at all overproduced or hollywoodified... After all, shouldn't an honest documentary not be much more than a filmmaker carrying around his camera to show you what he sees? This is an excellent work.

This is how all docs should be.......2005-06-29

This documentary really opened my eyes. It is not made up like a Michael Moore shock dock filled with distorted truths. This is the real deal. It is not an anti or even pro-American piece. It simply shows people thoughts on America and the war from an Iraqi perspective. In an honest style, this movie portray both the good and the bad. Everyone should see it.

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