Son of Babylon

Son of Babylon is a highly resonant 2009 film set in Northern Iraq, a poignant narrative which revitalizes the tale of the underbelly of a country ravaged by war and political turmoil. The movie is directed by Mohammed Al Daradji and features a stellar cast with Shazada Hussein, Yasser Talib, and Bashir Al Majid breathing life into the characters with their exemplary performances.

The film opens in 2003, just after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, and immerses us into the lives of 12-year-old Ahmed (played by Yasser Talib) and his grandmother (played by Shazada Hussein). The plot gets set into motion when they embark on a journey towards the south of Iraq, propelled by a combination of hope and tragedy. Ahmed's grandmother clings to a fragile hope that her son, who went missing during the Gulf War, could still be alive somewhere amidst the chaos and the ruins.

The journey to find her son, Ahmed's father, straddles into the broad landscape of war-torn Iraq, guiding the viewers through haunting imagery of the Mesopotamian marshes, the ruinous Babylon, and the sandy stretches of Kurdistan. Various encounters along the journey add an array of emotions, ranging from hopeful to heartbreaking, sketching a defiant spirit of humanity in the face of despair.

Central to Son of Babylon is the character development of the young, eager Ahmed played brilliantly by Yasser Talib. We see a metamorphosis from a wide-eyed boy to someone who must fast grow up in the violent and uncertain landscape of Iraq, tugging at the viewers' heartstrings. Shazada Hussein, as his devastated yet hopeful grandmother, beautifully balances the duos' emotional dynamic, further lending credibility to the tale. Bashir Al Majid adds another layer of realism and intensity to the plot, making the landscape not just a backdrop but a character by itself.

The cinematography of Son of Babylon is exceptional. The devastated landscapes are captured in such an authentic way that it plays a crucial role in igniting the emotions of the viewer as they journey alongside the main characters. Every panoramic shot, every devastated street, and every sun-bleached rubble or skeleton of a building tells the tale of a war-ravaged nation, amplifying the overall impact. The film is as much about the ravages of war as the journey of a young boy and his grandmother.

The film is told primarily in Kurdish and Arabic. Despite this, the emotions conveyed are universal – hope, grief, determination, despair, acceptance – and strike a chord regardless of the language spoken. The interplay between these languages also adds another layer to the film, showcasing the cultural diversity of Iraq.

Director Mohammed Al Daradji excellently offers a glimpse of post-war Iraq, where the battle cry has dimmed but the repercussions are felt in every nook and corner. It is a moving tribute to those who live amidst the remnants of the war, the families left behind, those who hope against hope, and those who soldier on with the mental and physical scars etched deep into their lives.

In conclusion, Son of Babylon is a gripping tale that beautifully weaves a personal narrative into the broader context of war-torn Iraq. The viewers find themselves simultaneously entranced by the individual journey of Ahmed and his grandmother, and captivated by the raw portrayal of a nation struggling to emerge from the ashes of war. The immersive storytelling, enhanced by powerful performances, engaging dialogue, and striking visuals, make this film a must-watch for those interested in understanding the human side of war. Each element of Son of Babylon comes together to create a masterpiece of war cinema that leaves an indelible imprint on the viewer long after the film has ended.