Thanks for checking out our Heavy Metal Baghdad review.
The General Idea
Plot Sumary from IMDB: In the late summer of 2006, in the middle of the insurgency, filmmakers Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi traveled to Baghdad to meet and interview the only heavy metal band in Iraq, Acrassicauda. “Heavy Metal in Baghdad” is the story of the band and its members, young Iraqis whose lives have been distorted and displaced by years of continual warfare in their homeland. The filmmakers have collected glimpses into the struggles of Acrassicauda as they try to stay together and stay alive. Their struggle is the untold story of the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of young Iraqis.
The Good
In order to tell the tale of Acrassicauda they venture into Iraq at different times during the war. The difference between the first and second visit was incredible and the tension on the streets was palpable. This film focuses on a Metal band, but the backdrop is impossible to ignore. The streets are ripped to shit, their entourage is packing heat, flack jackets are being worn and this story unfolds from one of the most dangerous places on earth. This film shows us what life is like on the streets of Iraq, and it isn’t pretty. I started to feel sick to my stomach knowing that the guys in this film had to live day to day on the edge of a knife. It becomes apparent that playing metal in Iraq can cost you your life, and Acrassicauda is willing to take that risk.
As someone who grew up loving metal, I related to the guys from Acrassicauda; they are my brothers in metal. To hear them talking about metal reminded me of conversations I have had with my own friends. To see what this group of guys had to endure to play 6 live shows in 5 years was incredible. A missile destroyed their jam space, death threats were given, and a few of the members have been shot at but still the dream was held high and the band soldiered on. These guys are hanging onto their dream with talons and refuse to let the worst of tribulations take it away. From playing under a dictatorship, to setting up their first show as Iraqi exiles in Syria Acrassicauda continues in the face of overwhelming opposition. Their story is one of inspiration, dedication and a balls deep love of heavy fucking metal.
One of the interesting developments of this documentary is the bands opinion of the ongoing chaos in Iraq. They suggest that the reports of Sunni and Shiite civil war are overblown allegations by our media. I talked with Director yesterday and asked for clarification on this and he said, that there is just a lot of madness and confusion on the streets and no on really knows what the hell is going on. It seems that many rogue gangs are using the state of disarray to wreak havoc and narrowing the problem down to civil war is an oversimplification of the anarchy that is boiling over.
The Bad
The people involved admittedly cross the line of getting involved personally with the band. Over time they become friends and the objective credibility of the documentary may be tarnished for some because of this. They help the band out with the purchasing of instruments, the recording of a demo, and setting up shows. Today the relationship with the band continues, and as a result, we will be kept up to speed with their progress. Personally, the trade off of ongoing coverage is worth the breaking of documentary rules.
Near the end of the film, most of the unfinished documentary was shown to the band. I don’t like when the subjects of a documentary see the footage in the film. The film ends with the band reacting to what they have seen and this did not sit well with me. I would have preferred if this scene was left as a special feature for the dvd. The entire film I was on the edge of my seat waiting on the words of Acrassicauda and I would have preferred the film to end naturally rather than have the band comment on the film we are watching. The message was still good, and the film did not end poorly – but it was certainly a let down for me.
Overall
This is a very good film about a group of relentless metal heads that have marched through hell and beyond, holding the banner of metal high. Acrassicauda were the sole metal outfit in Baghdad since their beginning and seeing them forced from the land of their birth caused me to well up with sorrow. Today, they are in Turkey and continue to strive towards the dream of becoming working metal musicians. Metal is forged in the flame my friends, and Acrassicauda has been in the oven for years. Acrassicauda will continue to grow in skill and fame and eventually if the Metal Gods be at their backs; will tour the globe.
May they be able to return to the land of their birth some day as Metal Gods, under the banner of peace.
I recommend this film and out of 10, would give it 7.5
