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Irkalla: Gilgamesh's Dream

Play trailer Poster for Irkalla: Gilgamesh's Dream 2025 1h 49m Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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In Baghdad's streets, Chum-Chum, a diabetic and dreamy nine-year-old, believes the Tigris River hides a gate to Irkalla, the underworld, where he can reunite with his lost parents -- a belief rooted in the legend of Gilgamesh. But when his friend Moody slips into violence and street crime, Chum-Chum must choose between holding on to myth or facing reality. A tale of grief, faith, and the search for light in a city that refuses to die.

Critics Reviews

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Namrata Joshi The New Indian Express Jan 15
No doubt censuring the adults for bringing things to such a pass for the children is necessary. But as we move along in the narrative, things begin to turn predictable and over the top in their sentimentality and messaging. Go to Full Review Joseph Fahim Middle East Eye Jan 23
Self-importantly bleak and exasperatingly formulaic, Irkalla is the bastard child of Capernaum: a regressive piece of misery porn replete with child labour, terrorist plots, and underage prostitution. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Mohamed Al Daradji

Director

Youssef Husham Al-Thahabi

Actor

Hussein Raad Zuwayr

Actor

Samar Jawad

Actor

Ameer Jabarah

Actor

Ayar Aziz Al-Khayoun

Actor
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Irkalla: Gilgamesh's Dream

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Movie Info

Synopsis In Baghdad's streets, Chum-Chum, a diabetic and dreamy nine-year-old, believes the Tigris River hides a gate to Irkalla, the underworld, where he can reunite with his lost parents -- a belief rooted in the legend of Gilgamesh. But when his friend Moody slips into violence and street crime, Chum-Chum must choose between holding on to myth or facing reality. A tale of grief, faith, and the search for light in a city that refuses to die.
Director
Mohamed Al Daradji
Producer
Mohamed Al Daradji
Screenwriter
Mohamed Al Daradji, Karim Traidia, Shahad Ameen, Hasan Falih
Production Co
Iraqi Independent Film Center, Human Film, Image Nation, Lionceau Films, Biet Ameen
Genre
Drama, War
Original Language
Arabic
Runtime
1h 49m