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What do we know about the history of Iraq?
Do we know that for hundreds of years it was a culturally prosperous country? Do we know that at least 25% of Baghdad's population until the 50's was Jewish? Do we know that this community has completely disappeared from Iraq? |
Since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2004, some Iraqi-born Jews are making secret visits to their homeland. My mother has fled Iraq when she was 12. My father was arrested in Iraq when he was 17, he was accused of being a Zionist and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. After he was released, his passport was stamped "Never to return to Iraq" and he left to Israel, but my parents' longing for their past life in Iraq was always strong.
My interest in the past began when I started to make films. 3 of my early films dealt with the history of my family and the cultural heritage of Jewish musicians form the Arab world. Recently, thanks to the internet, I began to communicate with Iraqi citizens. Now I can think of Iraq, not only through the past, but also see its present. The exchange of ideas with my friends through the Net, is broadening my views and changing the way I look at the middle-east politics. Of course, reconciliation and a mutual future is considered an hallucination at this time, but the dialogue on both sides of the border is an attempt to create the infrastructure for the change to come. This film about Linda Abdul Aziz Menuhin and her story, is my attempt to explore and to expose the possibilities of building a new future in our region.
Duki Dror, Director.
My interest in the past began when I started to make films. 3 of my early films dealt with the history of my family and the cultural heritage of Jewish musicians form the Arab world. Recently, thanks to the internet, I began to communicate with Iraqi citizens. Now I can think of Iraq, not only through the past, but also see its present. The exchange of ideas with my friends through the Net, is broadening my views and changing the way I look at the middle-east politics. Of course, reconciliation and a mutual future is considered an hallucination at this time, but the dialogue on both sides of the border is an attempt to create the infrastructure for the change to come. This film about Linda Abdul Aziz Menuhin and her story, is my attempt to explore and to expose the possibilities of building a new future in our region.
Duki Dror, Director.