I attended the North American Premiere of Baghdad High at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.
My review is here:
http://www.pronetworks.org/forum/story102445.html
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The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.
"Their displays of affection for each other and absence of talk about girls and sex is probably a bit more accurate than what American teenage boys would like others to believe about themselves, especially when cameras are pointed at them."
Huh?
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Anyway, the movie was alright - hard to believe you can get an accurate depiction of Iraq life when a movie is as cut up as Baghdad High is.
What was not clear?
In the Q&A following the screening, this was a topic of discussion. The basic idea was that a film following American teenage boys would invariably show conversations revolving around sex and girls. The boys would be careful not to show any affection for each other or make any physical contact -- for whatever reason, boys just avoid doing that in the US.
We can go into the psychology of this, but that was what was said by the director.
Many in the audience were surprised that the boys in Iraq would spend so much time together with no mention of sex and girls, and that they were not afraid to be physical with each other. It was basically an analysis of homophobia in America vs. other countries but I'll leave the analysis to others. I was simply reporting the observations.
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The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.
What a fantastic documentary. It seems that their society isn't as obsessed with sex like the west although, when the camera's are off, I'm sure there was more talk than they wanted anyone to know. They had to show this to their parents and all the world. It goes to show you that kids are kids anywhere. The comment about Chemical Ali using the other guy's socks to gas the north, was too funny!
shareThe line about Chemical Ali was my favorite! It was so hilarious and showed the great sense of humor.
shareHuh?
Their displays of affection for each other and absence of talk about girls and sex is probably a bit more accurate than what American teenage boys would like others to believe about themselves, especially when cameras are pointed at them.
This was a fantastic documentary. I Loved how it showed how similar we all are at the end of the day. We, like them just want to be successful, be able to raise our families in peace and just live a peaceful life which all of mankind deserve.
So many people are so brainwashed by the media into thinking they all want to see us dead because they hate our lifestyle and freedom. That just isn't true.
Anyway, It was good to get to know them. They're funny and were very loving towards each other, which i thought was really sweet.
Team Obama!
I agree, Butterfly. I thought it was a fantastic documentary. It took us to the living hell that is Baghdad, and showed us what life there is like. What surprised me most is how much alike all high school kids are, no matter what the situation. They goofed around and acted as silly as any high school kids. I was worried one of the boys would be hurt or killed during the filming. It was also interesting to hear people's opinions on the situation in their country. I would love to know how those young men are doing now.
shareI would like to know how they're doing now too! And btw I thought it was a fantastic documentary as well.
sharehttp://www.hbo.com/docs/docuseries/baghdadhigh/interviews/
This link at HBO says Ali (the boy who went north) lives in the US now.
Scott
Kind of late, but thank you!
.TE.AMO.