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Heavy Metal in Baghdad

Play trailer Poster for Heavy Metal in Baghdad R 2007 1h 32m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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

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Charlotte O'Sullivan London Evening Standard 09/12/2008
2/5
It feels like a spoof, yet this documentary, which follows the fortunes of a monumentally rubbish Iraqi band called Acrassicauda, is for real. Go to Full Review Sukhdev Sandhu Daily Telegraph (UK) 09/12/2008
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. Go to Full Review Xan Brooks Guardian 09/12/2008
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Pamela Jahn Electric Sheep 09/26/2017
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... Go to Full Review Don Groves sbs.com.au 01/02/2011
3/5
Doc on Baghdad's only heavy metal band provides fascinating insights into war-torn country. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 03/26/2009
B-
Gives us a rough idea of how bloody awful it is to be living in Baghdad. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bahad j 08/20/2024 - [ ] 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. See more 08/20/2024 The documentary shows the audience a view into the war-torn country and its only heavy metal band See more Gnr E 07/28/2024 I’ve never seen a Documentary this good. See more 05/30/2016 What a crazy, intense ride this was!!! Documentary at its best!!! Must Watch!!!! See more 05/18/2015 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. See more 07/30/2013 Amazing documentary. See more Read all reviews
Heavy Metal in Baghdad

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Cast & Crew

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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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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