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In My Mother's Arms

2011 1h 22m Documentary Drama War List
100% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Several children live and study in a small rented house and they have no one to help them accept for Husham, a student. When the landlord demands they leave, the children lose their only sanctuary.
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In My Mother's Arms

Critics Reviews

View All (8) Critics Reviews
Jeannette Catsoulis New York Times "In My Mother's Arms" takes a distressing snapshot of an ongoing struggle. Rated: 3/5 Oct 7, 2012 Full Review Glenn Heath Jr. Slant Magazine Throughout, it becomes clear that both the film and its subject are defined by the necessity of multitasking. Rated: 3/4 Oct 5, 2012 Full Review Michael Nordine Village Voice Husham's efforts might be a drop in the bucket, but that only makes them more worthy of documenting, perhaps even celebrating. Oct 2, 2012 Full Review Joseph Walsh CineVue As a piece of factual filmmaking, there's little denying the emotive power of Atia and Mohamed Al Daradji's In My Mother's Arms. Rated: 4/5 Aug 23, 2018 Full Review Eric Monder Film Journal International Gripping documentary about Iraqi orphans should bring attention to a neglected population. Oct 4, 2012 Full Review Louis Proyect rec.arts.movies.reviews Deeply moving although simply made documentary about 32 Iraqi orphans looked after by a man who symbolizes the sad nation's best hopes. Sep 20, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member This powerful documentary follows two and a half years in the life of an orphanage in Baghdad run by Husham, who is devoting his life in protecting children from the dangers of the streets. While not supported by the government, he struggles to keep the orphanage running and is determined to try his best in providing a decent life and education for the children. The children are mostly orphans of people killed or kidnapped; all traumatized to various degrees and in need of special attention. Husham wants to make sure they mingle with normal children at school in order not to grow up feeling alienated. He counts on a number of volunteers to assist him, but with every passing day they face a different obstacle. One day, the landlord decides to the orphanage should be vacated within two weeks. The children risk sleeping in the streets and Husham doesn't know where to turn to for help. "In My Mother's Arms" was one of the most compelling documentaries that showed at the 2012 Gulf Film Festival. The children are undoubtedly the main stars, growing a little too fast in a war-torn country. As Saif, around 8 years old, sings at one point: "I'm too young to endure all this". He is filled with bitterness and mystery and doesn't remember his parents who were killed in a bombing. All he remembers is his mother's name. Only music brings him out of his silence. "In My Mother's Arms" reflects a reality that affects a whole generation of young Iraqis, who if not properly taken care of, might end up in extremist groups. This is not simply a documentary - it has a more noble purpose. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
In My Mother's Arms

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Several children live and study in a small rented house and they have no one to help them accept for Husham, a student. When the landlord demands they leave, the children lose their only sanctuary.
Director
Atea Al Daradji, Mohamed Al Daradji
Producer
Isabelle Stead
Genre
Documentary, Drama, War
Original Language
Arabic
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 17, 2018
Runtime
1h 22m
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