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Heavy Metal in Baghdad

R 2007 1h 32m Documentary List
83% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 86% Audience Score 500+ Ratings
Filmmakers Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi risk their lives as they travel to Baghdad to interview Acrassicauda, Iraq's only heavy metal band. When they arrive, they find a group of spirited but worn-down young men whose lives have been torn apart by the violence on the streets of Baghdad. Many of their friends have either fled the country or died. Unable to book shows in their homeland, the bandmates seek refuge in Damascus, Syria, where they attempt to rebuild their band and their lives. Read More Read Less
Heavy Metal in Baghdad

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Despite being a Gonzo-esque rockumentary following the fortunes of Iraq's one and only heavy metal band, Acrassicauda, Heavy Metal is actually a moving and impassioned account of the middle-east crisis.

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Critics Reviews

View All (24) Critics Reviews
Charlotte O'Sullivan London Evening Standard It feels like a spoof, yet this documentary, which follows the fortunes of a monumentally rubbish Iraqi band called Acrassicauda, is for real. Rated: 2/5 Sep 12, 2008 Full Review Sukhdev Sandhu Daily Telegraph (UK) Though they struggle to build a fan base, and end up seeking refuge in Syria, their dreams persist, still blazing fiercely at the close of this chastening and inspiring film. Sep 12, 2008 Full Review Xan Brooks Guardian This ill-starred four-piece are the heroes of a flawed, fascinating documentary, shot on digital video by two excitable gonzo-esque journalists from Vice magazine. Rated: 3/5 Sep 12, 2008 Full Review Pamela Jahn Electric Sheep Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi's powerful yet soft-centred documentary about the Iraqi metal band Acrassicauda creates a fascinating portrait of life in Iraq as seen through the eyes of young metal-heads... Sep 26, 2017 Full Review Don Groves sbs.com.au Doc on Baghdad's only heavy metal band provides fascinating insights into war-torn country. Rated: 3/5 Jan 2, 2011 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Gives us a rough idea of how bloody awful it is to be living in Baghdad. Rated: B- Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (136) audience reviews
Audience Member What a crazy, intense ride this was!!! Documentary at its best!!! Must Watch!!!! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Using the fiery medium of heavy metal music to explore the tragedy of the war in Iraq, as well as the tiredness of it, this is a powerful documentary that will change your outlook on not only a severely misunderstood genre of music but the futility of war. This is the ultimate kind of peaceful protest wrapped in a passionate and chaotic package. I really enjoyed this film from top to bottom. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Amazing documentary. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member this docu proofs why rock music is the scense of life Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member The daily struggles these guys go through to conquer even the simplest of tasks is incomprehinsible. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member awesome documentary about the struggles faced by metal heads in Iraq Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Heavy Metal in Baghdad

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmakers Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi risk their lives as they travel to Baghdad to interview Acrassicauda, Iraq's only heavy metal band. When they arrive, they find a group of spirited but worn-down young men whose lives have been torn apart by the violence on the streets of Baghdad. Many of their friends have either fled the country or died. Unable to book shows in their homeland, the bandmates seek refuge in Damascus, Syria, where they attempt to rebuild their band and their lives.
Director
Eddy Moretti, Suroosh Alvi
Producer
Eddy Moretti, Suroosh Alvi, Monica Hampton
Screenwriter
Bernardo Loyola, Suroosh Alvi
Production Co
Vice Media
Rating
R (Pervasive Language)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Arabic
Release Date (DVD)
Jun 10, 2008
Runtime
1h 32m