November 07, 2004

Last night I saw the new documentary, VOICES OF IRAQ, and afterwards had a chance to talk briefly by phone to Steven Moore, who’s involved in the distribution of the film.

The producers gave 150 video cameras to Iraqi civilians and asked them to record anything they wanted. The cameras spread throughout the country, and the final film contains footage from as recently as last September. (I’m trying to find out how they kept track of the cameras and gathered the footage back.)

The film frequently juxtaposes mainstream U.S. print media headlines, with video shot on the same day they appeared, often making those headlines appear out of touch with the facts on the ground. A mainstream media quote saying that reporters are afraid to set foot outside their hotels in Baghdad, is juxtaposed with video showing an overview of quiet Baghdad streets. Another headline saying Iraqis are afraid to set foot outside their homes is juxtaposed with footage of a crowded, colorful street marketplace shot the same day.

Again and again the film shows Iraqis thanking America, and the American soldiers, who freed them from lives of fear and oppression under Hussein.

Iraqis repeatedly emphasize that the terrorists in Fallujah and elsewhere who are obstructing peaceful reconstruction, are not native Iraqis, but are sent there from many other Arab nations which are fearful that once Democracy succeeds in Iraq, it will spread to the other nations in the region.

The film presents compelling evidence that Iraq is on the right track, and that the majority of Iraqis have no wish to support terrorism of any kind.

One of the most powerful impressions is the smiles of sheer happiness of so many of these people, having been recently freed from terrible oppression.

If you are interested in what’s going on there, this film is a must-see.

Update 12-17-04: Betsy’s Page has excerpts from a Jeff Jacoby article on the film.