Heavy Metal in Baghdad

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Heavy Metal in Baghdad

R

2007

1h 32m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ 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.

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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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

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Bahad j

- [ ] It was a really good movie. Very instructive. I really liked it. I will watch it again later.Also, I really like the small details of the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/20/24

Full Review

Audience Member

The documentary shows the audience a view into the war-torn country and its only heavy metal band

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/20/24

Full Review

Gnr E

I’ve never seen a Documentary this good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

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

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Eddy Moretti

Director

Suroosh Alvi

Director

Bernardo Loyola

Writer

Suroosh Alvi

Writer

Eddy Moretti

Producer

Suroosh Alvi

Producer

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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