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."

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Plot Keywords:

iraq war | subtitles

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Genres:

Drama

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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

"Kiss My Ass!"
Written by Fuzzbee Morse
Performed by Fuzzbee Morse & Gary Anthony Williams
Courtesy of Giant Mogul

User Reviews

Great Film!

Great story about the chaos and constant change of events in Iraq and the damage caused from miscommunication. The movie provides a view into what happens when multiple entities are trying to work together while at the same time each is more interested in their own agenda. The multiple entities in this film included the CIA, the US Military, the Iraq police, an Iraq community leader, and an Iraq underground leader. In addition to these groups there was also a reporter and photographer smack in the middle. The movie is a fictional film, however it was written by a reporter who has been in Iraq for a long time, not embedded with the US military, but out working on her own, therefore even though the movie is a fictional film it is based on the realities of living and working in this war torn part of our world. The casting was excellent and the story unfolded perfectly. This movie required the viewer to pay attention and keep track of the players and each of their agendas. It was fast paced and kept the audience involved. It was not a "Hollywood" film full of gratuitous violence, but instead a deeper story about the people involved. I saw this movie at the Palm Springs Film Festival and also enjoyed the Q&A session which followed the movie. It is a provocative film that evokes an emotional reaction from the viewers regarding their opinions about the US being in Iraq, which was demonstrated during the Q&A session! One of the goals of the film is to provide a starting point for discussing the war and the events in Iraq. It is not a political statement, but instead a method to get people actively involved again.