Marooned in Iraq is surprisingly funny, in my opinion. I knew that it dealt with serious issues, such as the gassing of Kurds, but it had breaks of humor among these more serious matters that made for an enjoyable as well as informational experience. The film follows the same kind of editing, framing, and pace as other films from the Middle East that I have viewed such as Children of Heaven. That is, the shots in such films as these are held longer in scenes with more dialogue between actors as opposed to the Western styles of cinema, which tend to focus more on action and rapid intermissions between scenes that keep the visual stimulation moving along with the pace of such movies that American audiences are more accustomed to. The sets and actors have a much more realistic feel to them; made up of real Kurdish roads and villages without the set design of more blockbuster motion pictures that come out of Hollywood each year.
The plot and character development surround a story of two sons who accompany their father, Mizera, in search of his past wife, Hanareh, who sent word of her need for Mizera in a matter that remains a mystery up until the conclusion of the film. It is a charming story full of various types of trials and deceptions that keeps the viewer guessing as to the true purpose for the journey that this family band sets out for. The conflict in the story is complicated by these various deceptions conveyed by Mizera and the struggles that each son, Barat and Audeh, has to endure to assist their father in his quest, a quest that neither son particularly desires to take part in. The struggles center on a social commentary about the plight of the Kurdish people during the Iran Iraq War while sometimes poking fun at such characters and situations determined by this cultural conflict that keeps the Kurdish people in a state of inconclusive definition.
With more and more exposure to this type of Middle Eastern cinema, I find myself enjoying it with an equal but different enthusiasm as I find in American motion pictures; I suppose that is due in part to my professor's guidance through such films. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this film to those who seek to know more about Middle Eastern cultures and differing types of cinematic interpretations of what makes up a good film. It always serves one well to step outside their shell of familiarity in order to experience such pleasures in life that only come with exposure to such films as Marooned in Iraq.
The plot and character development surround a story of two sons who accompany their father, Mizera, in search of his past wife, Hanareh, who sent word of her need for Mizera in a matter that remains a mystery up until the conclusion of the film. It is a charming story full of various types of trials and deceptions that keeps the viewer guessing as to the true purpose for the journey that this family band sets out for. The conflict in the story is complicated by these various deceptions conveyed by Mizera and the struggles that each son, Barat and Audeh, has to endure to assist their father in his quest, a quest that neither son particularly desires to take part in. The struggles center on a social commentary about the plight of the Kurdish people during the Iran Iraq War while sometimes poking fun at such characters and situations determined by this cultural conflict that keeps the Kurdish people in a state of inconclusive definition.
With more and more exposure to this type of Middle Eastern cinema, I find myself enjoying it with an equal but different enthusiasm as I find in American motion pictures; I suppose that is due in part to my professor's guidance through such films. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this film to those who seek to know more about Middle Eastern cultures and differing types of cinematic interpretations of what makes up a good film. It always serves one well to step outside their shell of familiarity in order to experience such pleasures in life that only come with exposure to such films as Marooned in Iraq.