Marooned in Iraq (2002)
"Gomgashtei dar Aragh" (original title)

During the war between Iran and Iraq, a group of Iranian Kurd musicians set off on an almost impossible mission. They will try to find Hanareh, a singer with a magic voice who crossed the ... See full summary »

Director:

Bahman Ghobadi

Writer:

Bahman Ghobadi

Stars:

Shahab Ebrahimi, Faegh Mohamadi, Allah-Morad Rashtian

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Shahab Ebrahimi	...	Mirza
Faegh Mohamadi	...	Barat
Allah-Morad Rashtian	...	Audeh
Rojan Hosseini	...	Rojan
Saeed Mohammadi	...	The Teacher
Iran Ghobadi	...	Hanareh
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mariam Pouyani
Hossein Rashid-Ghamat
Fathollah Sa'edi
Bahram Sarbazi

Storyline

During the war between Iran and Iraq, a group of Iranian Kurd musicians set off on an almost impossible mission. They will try to find Hanareh, a singer with a magic voice who crossed the border and may now be in danger in the Iraqi Kurdistan. As in his previous films, this Kurdish director is again focusing on the oppression of his people.

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Plot Keywords:

oppression | kurd | kurdistan | iraq | iran | 

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Taglines:

Hope is eternal.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Wellspring Media [us]

Country:

Iran

Language:

Persian Kurdish

Release Date:

29 May 2003 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Annemin Ülkesinin Sarkilari

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$6,696 (USA) (25 April 2003)

Gross:

$141,216 (USA) (31 October 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mij Film Co.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 108 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A Comedy, a Statement about War, and a Story of Hope

Marooned in Iraq was a movie that surprised me. I knew it was a story about a famous Iranian singer and his sons, also members of what used to be his band, traveling to Iraq to help his ex-wife who ran off with his best friend, both of whom were also in the band. But I also knew that it served as a political statement about the war. For this reason I assumed it would be somewhat sad, and kind of boring as movies about war put me to sleep. But I was pleasantly surprised to realize that it was actually an interesting, funny movie. Of course it was serious at times, but the interaction between the characters was hilarious. It kept my attention and did not focus too strongly on the war.

All of the actors in the movie were new to acting, and with some characters you could tell. But the main characters do an amazing job! They get really into their roles, especially the men that play the sons, Barat and Audeh. The music in the movie is very good as well. The background music makes you almost feel like you're there, and when the characters start playing music, it makes you wish you were there. Although the movie was made with a very small budget, I didn't see any problems with how it was made. I thought it looked fantastic.

Marooned in Iraq is a story about duty, endurance, and hope. Mirza knows it is his duty to help Hanareh, the ex-wife he still loves. She asked for help and he did not think twice about immediately leaving on a long, dangerous mission to aid her. Barat and Audeh know it is their duty to help their father. Although Audeh complains the entire time, he never the less goes with his father to retain the honor of his family. Endurance and hope is prevalent in everyone in the movie. Their homes, families, and lives are destroyed, but they keep going. They help each other and keep hoping that things will get better because that's all they can do.

This movie is very good and I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the Middle East. It does a great job of showing the effects of war on the land and homes, and in the people themselves. It's also great for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and can stand subtitled movies. Although what was happening in Iran and Iraq at the time is depressing, it is an uplifting movie because it shows that even through tragedy life goes on.