Son of Babylon

Director: Mohamed Al-Daradji
Writer: Jennifer Norridge, Mohamed Al-Daradji, Mithal Ghazi
Cast: Yasser Talib, Shazda Hussein, Bashir Al-Majid
Theatrical Release Date:
Criticwire: B-

Synopsis: In 2003, three weeks after the fall of Saddam Hussein, Ahmed, an energetic 12-year-old Kurdish boy, travels with his grandmother along the dustiest, most secluded roads in northern Iraq. In search of their father/son, a soldier missing since the Gulf War, they head south to Babylon. Along their bumpy way, they encounter the chaotic state of the country but find unexpected allies on similar quests, including one former member of the Republican Guard. Though Ahmed may be too young to understand fully the importance of this journey, his life will be changed forever. Beautifully directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji, and featuring a magnificent performance from young Yasser Talib as Ahmed, Son of Babylon is both a fulfilling cinematic and emotional experience. It is a story of hope and forgiveness; one that palpably, and with great humanity, illustrates reality for many Iraqi and Kurdish people in the aftermath of Hussein’s reign.