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My Country, My Country, Sat September 30
2006, 7:00 & 9:00

The emotional toll of the occupation of Iraq

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Subject My Country, My Country shows at IFS on Sat September 30, 2006, 7:00 & 9:00

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My Country, My Country
The emotional toll of the occupation of Iraq
Sat September 30
2006, 7:00 & 9:00

From its plaintive title to its melancholy soundtrack, “My Country, My Country” is an appropriately mournful look at the chaos of Iraq under American occupation. Filmed over the course of eight months, from June 2004 to February 2005, this documentary views the run-up to the January elections for the national assembly primarily through the eyes of Dr. Riyadh, a Sunni candidate and physician who runs a free clinic in Baghdad. It is a reflection of the situation in Iraq that the director, Laura Poitras, decided not to disclose the doctor’s last name for the sake of his security, even though it has been made public.

Soft-spoken and dignified, Dr. Riyadh offers medicine, advice and sometimes money to patients traumatized by years of violence and uncertainty. Yet a pall of failure hangs over the film as he tries to dissuade the Sunni leadership from boycotting the elections and argues with the United States military over the incarceration of a 9-year-old boy. Around him the movie teems with American soldiers, United Nations officials and private security contractors, as well as Kurdish militia and mujahedeen. At home his outspoken wife, Samera, and six children wonder if voting will get them killed.

Without comment but with unusual sensitivity, Ms. Poitras, exposes the emotional toll of occupation on Iraqis and American soldiers alike. Nosing around in rubble-strewn neighborhoods and peering through the wire at prisoners in Abu Ghraib, Ms. Poitras and her camera find little to celebrate. “My Country, My Country” may appear to be strictly observational, but its images and structure inevitably question the legitimacy of democracy at gunpoint, leaving us with the feeling that this particular mission is far from accomplished. (J. Catsoulis, New York Times)

To see a trailer and read a review, visit InternationalFilmSeries.com.

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IFS tickets are only available at the door on day of show. With 400 seats and rare sell-outs, by arriving a bit early you're almost certainly guaranteed a seat. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before showtime.

IFS screens films in Muenzinger Auditorium, west of Folsom Football Stadium. Admission (unless otherwise noted): $10 general admission, $8 w/UCB student ID, $8 for senior citizens. 10 films for $65 with punch card. We give a $1 discount to anyone with a bike helmet, and you can see movies for free on your birthday, or if you are assisting someone in a wheelchair. Credit cards are accepted at the door

Pricing

10 films for $65 with punch card
$10 general admission. $8 w/UCB student ID, $8 for senior citizens
$1 discount to anyone with a bike helmet
Free on your birthday! CU Cinema Studies students get in free.

Looking for a gift for a friend?

Buy a Frequent Patron Punch Card for $65 at any IFS show. With the punch card you can see ten films (a value of $100).

Parking

Pay lot 360 (now only $1/hour!), across from the buffalo statue and next to the Duane Physics tower, is closest to Muenzinger. Covered parking with similar pricing can be found in the Euclid Parking Garage under the CASE Building, South of Muenzinger. We recommend utilizing the ParkMobile app on your phone to simplify the process and avoid needing to use the kiosks.