Iraq theater hosts 1st feature film on Daesh

Daesh is depicted on the silver screen in Iraq with the premiere of ‘The Guardian (al-Wakeel)’, the first-ever Iraqi feature film on Daesh terrorists.

The Monday screening of the film was a momentous occasion, drawing several Iraqi officials and cultural figures, including the Iraqi parliament's acting speaker, Mohsen al-Mandalawi, and some members of the parliament.

The Iraqi cinema, television, and theater professionals also joined the event.

The film was produced with the backing of Iraq’s anti-terror resistance group, Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Sha’abi.

The film's opening night was attended by the PMU commander Abu Fadak al-Mohammadawi and veterans who fought on the frontlines against Daesh between 2014 and 2017.

The film's powerful scenes resonated deeply, bringing tears to the viewers' eyes in the screening session.

‘The Guardian’ boasts an entirely Iraqi cast and is directed by Karar Almesani, a young Iraqi filmmaker who had joined the fight against Daesh himself.

The personal experience gave him a unique perspective that guarantees the film's authenticity.

The media quoted the director as saying, “It is Iraq's first post-2003 feature film chronicling the Daesh war. Notably, the entire production team—from the crew and screenwriter to the director and actors—is Iraqi. The film is based on a true story set in the dark period of Daesh’s reign” in Iraq.

Film critics and Iraqi cinema professionals who attended the premiere showered the film with praise. 

AG/AG