The Situation (I) (2006)

The story of an American journalist, a CIA operative, and an Iraqi photographer against the backdrop of the bloody war in Iraq.

Director:

Philip Haas

Writer:

Wendell Steavenson

Stars:

Connie Nielsen, Damian Lewis, Mido Hamada

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Connie Nielsen	...	Anna Molyneux
Damian Lewis	...	Dan Murphy
Mido Hamada	...	Zaid
Driss Roukhe	...	Walid (as Driss Roukh)
Nasser Memarzia	...	Rafeeq
Saïd Amadis	...	Mayor Tahsin
Omar Berdouni	...	Bashar
Chérine Amar	...	Noor
Shaun Evans	...	Wesley
Thomas McCarthy	...	Major Hanks (as Tom McCarthy)
Mahmoudi M'Barek	...	Colonel Jobouri
John Slattery	...	Colonel Carrick
Peter Eyre	...	US Ambassador
Fatiha Watili	...	Samira
Hamid Basket	...	Selim

Storyline

Americans in Iraq, insurgency rising, truth illusive. U.S. soldiers in Samarra throw boys off a bridge; one drowns. An American reporter and her Iraqi photographer pursue the story. Samarra's mayor aids the U.S. and fears the rising power of an ex-Republican Guard. The mayor uses a Baathist ex-diplomat to sell out his rival. The diplomat wants a post abroad, so he trades "intel" for safe passage. The reporter's lover, a CIA man in Baghdad, pushes for progress on public works in Sumarra; he promotes cooperation with Rafeeq, an intellectual whom other Americans call an insurgent. Rafeeq is in danger. All roads lead to the village of Al Tawr. War at its most opaque: Iraqis call it "the situation."

---

Plot Keywords:

iraq war | subtitles

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Arabic

Release Date:

18 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Situação

Filming Locations:

Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$7,187 (USA) (2 February 2007)

Gross:

$48,195 (USA) (25 May 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shadow Distribution, Red Wine Pictures, Armian Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Giant Lizard"
Written by Fuzzbee Morse
Performed by Fuzzbee Morse
Courtesy of Giant Mogul

User Reviews

Excellent movie about a complex conflict

For me this movie is right up there with movies like Traffic, Syriana and Bloody Sunday, offering a kaleidoscopic view into a very complex political situation. You're taken into the heart of the Iraqi conflict and you'll get to look at the situation from different sides. From people living there, having to deal with their daily hardships and things getting worse all the time, from a reporters perspective, from the American military trying to restore order, etc. etc. Rather than taking sides, this movie shows you it's about people. And they all look at the situation differently. It's just like the Dan Murphy (Damian Lewis) in the movie states: "There is no truth, you know. It's not about locking up all the bad guys. It doesn't work like that. There are no bad guys and there are no good guys. It's not gray, either. It's just that the truth shifts according to each person you talk to."