The Wind of Al Amal (2013) User Reviews

A powerful and emotional piece of filmmaking

[caldigit · 8/10 · 11 May 2013]

I saw this film on Indieflix. This rare gem is the type of films I really dig because the filmmaker lets the subjects being the main voices of the film. It is not about an outsider going some places and giving us his opinion as we follow him/her around-(often the case in docs about humanitarian crisis or news reports), nor a voice over narration from an actor sitting on a sound stage. The Wind of Al Amal is about 3 protagonists,3 haunting moments in their past that dramatically impacted their future. But mainly, the film is about an invisible refugees crisis- the Iraqi refugees plight since the invasion in 2003. The film uses different animation techniques and film formats to portray the life of each Iraqi in the film who resettled in the US. Although, the politics and media tend to avoid talking too much about the situation for Iraqi refugees, the film never goes too deep in a political analysis but rather focus on the human aspect. For example, the story of this American woman from Michigan who lost a brother in Vietnam and now who send medications and water supplies to Iraq is very moving. And her brother who decides to go to Iraq to deliver the goods, despite the dangers for American to go there, really show the true American spirit. Again, another example of solidarity and good heart from regular people trying to fix things on a human level where politics failed. The film is about underdog stories all around- from Iraqi refugees who lost everything and trying to rebuild their life in the US and from regular Americans who try to fix the mistakes which have been made and to provide relief to some of the most needed in Iraq. The Wind of Al Amal is really a good gem. Definitely a film that deserves a wider audience. In their official website, they wrote the film is about Change, Struggle and Hope. I'd like to add it is mainly about Solidarity!

very gritty and lyrical and yet powerful first feature film!

[culhanestephen · 10/10 · 9 March 2014]

Because the director, Fredric Lean, used a technique that interwoven informational interviews, personal journeys of refugees told in a fragmented and juxtaposition of flashbacks and flash-forwards, via mixed formats (HD, SD and animation), he was able to create an arresting, gritty structured documentary. And still, he managed to keep the lyrical, emotional and psychological aspects of each refugees while retaining a certain suspense. I'm a filmmaker as well and I know how difficult to create in the editing room. It drives every editor mad. Regardless of your political personal opinion, I think this is is very well done. It is obvious, it was done on a tiny budget. Another film that proves you don't need a big budget when you know how to tell a story!

enthralling refugee stories!

[RicciSteven · 9/10 · 9 March 2014]

"While every refugee's story is different and their anguish personal, they all share a common thread of uncommon courage – the courage not only to survive, but to persevere and rebuild their shattered lives." ~ Antonio Guterres (U.N.H.C.R)

You may have or may have not agreed with the way the last war in Iraq was conducted by the previous administration but, regardless of where you stand, this film delves into another world of Iraqi refugees that most people are unaware of and you'll found it extremely enthralling.

We can not avoid the facts that this war has had a devastated impact on millions of Iraqi refugees and Americans. 50 years from now, how the next generations of Iraqis and Americans will interpret this supposedly 'liberation' of a dictator. Yes, the US and the coalition liberated Iraq from a brutal dictator but in exchange what did they get; peace? no! Flourishing economy? no! Cleaner and safer country? no! what went wrong then?

A deeply affective documentary

[mattstevens · 8/10 · 30 June 2014]

The Wind of Al Amal is a deeply affective, sometimes heart breaking documentary that could test the limits of what one is willing to endure while browsing Amazon Prime from their couch. That is how I witnessed it and I must admit, it took two nights to complete. Director Frederic Lean expects his audience to be ready for grim viewing and in many ways, he expects a bit too much of his audience. Most would rather tune into a mindless E! reality shows and therefore never sit for this sort of thing. But if you are reading this review I expect you want to be challenged and therefore, I would recommend you give this film a chance.

The politics are clearly left in leaning, but that does not detract from the to the jugular narrative. This is about real people and the often ignored unintended consequences of war. Whatever your politics may be, the content here is captured with compassion and presented with skill. At times I was unable to breathe. This should not come as a surprise to anyone who has watched Lean's debut short film, FRAGILE, where he pulled a surprisingly strong performances from TV actress Sheree Wilson (Walker, Texas Ranger).

Sometimes when I see what is #1 at the box office I feel sick to my stomach. At this very moment another Transformers is top of the heap, despite its 16% rating at Rottentomatoes. Product is now king. If such news bothers you too, seek out this little documentary. It proves there are still passionate filmmakers out there who deserve to be seen and heard.

Great documentary

[sandyGold · 10/10 · 1 July 2014]

Great and inspiring documentary about Iraqis refugees who not only forcefully fled their country as refugees and about Americans that helped them to feel welcomed in the United States, but also about those human souls who had to re-build their lives from zero. And the problem is still growing in Iraq....making the Iraqi refugee crisis the largest refugee crisis in the world...all religions included.... The film dissects all major problems without necessarily taking a political stance. Fredric Lean shows the tragedy of bad politics and war affects everyone, Christians, Jewish, Muslims, Atheists...A real inspiring and moving film showing few of the voices, among millions, that were affected the most by the war.

I really enjoyed the movie

[isnbrgdavid2121 · 8/10 · 13 May 2019]

Great story, pacing ...and that feeling about wanting more and more !

would recommend it. Very good

[lichigoroger · 10/10 · 29 September 2015]

I really enjoyed how the filmmaker Fredric Lean gave a voice and a face to refugees in the US. All we've seen on TV is through the eyes of journalists and westerners, not so much via the refugees own voices.

I would recommend this film to anyone who want to her perspectives from Iraqi refugees themselves.

Also, this film shows the suffering of people on both side and exposes the contrast between the lifestyle of regular people in a small town in Michigan and the people in a small town in southern Iraq.

At then end, I found the Iraqi voices in the film very inspiring and heartening. Again, I would recommend the film to people who are more interested in humans rather than in politics.

relevant documentary

[cinequitynote · 10/10 · 10 August 2017]

This is still a relevant documentary, especially in this Trump era. Although some may falsely interpret this film as anti-American, it is actually a film that exposes the voices of Iraqi refugees who lost everything due to the consequences of the US-led invasion. Mainly this film is about resilience and show how some refugees have rebound to rebuild their life in the US. It is beautiful to hear the US has brought some relief to them. This film is really about hope. Alaa's story really symbolizes what happened to Iraqis who helped the Americans. I was really touched by her story.

good film to watch about Iraqi refugees in the US and their take on the invasion

[grahamjoyce-78494 · 9/10 · 23 July 2016]

Politics aside this film is mostly about several Iraqis who migrated or were resettled in the US over the last 3 decades and their views on the US led-invasion, almost 10 years later. It was very interesting to hear their point of views and the viewer can quickly understand that regardless of their religious backgrounds (muslim, Christian and even Jewish), they almost had the same opinion about the disastrous impact the invasion had on them and their family. This is an indie documentary, obviously made with very little or no money, but the filmmaker's fragmented narrative structure is engaging and informative. The film is worth watching it.

1 film maker and 3 survivors

[nalaa-42011 · 10/10 · 24 September 2019]

Sometimes it's hard to watch the reality of our life, but it's a reminder to us to stay humane