Search - Voices of Iraq on DVD

David S. (asterios) from RIVER VALE, NJ
Reviewed on 2/19/2012...

This movie is apparently popular amongst those who really want to justify the war in Iraq as a good idea. Frankly, it's pretty obvious propaganda, and one would really have to lack a critical eye to miss its weaknesses.

I've written a very long review of it elsewhere that details the various aspects that I found problematic.

http://davesmey.com/randomblog/?p=6

But in short, it

- shows people expressing a few negative opinions in the first fifteen minutes of the movie and then spends a solid hour making the case for the invasion and optimistically speculating about the new Iraq.

- obscures who actually made the film and why

- engages in very cheap shots at the mainstream media which are unpersuasive

- relies on a moral relativism that I don't think really stands up to scrutiny.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

From a returned soldier

Eric Williams | Iowa City, IA, USA | 12/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I returned from Iraq in june of 2004. This movie is the most accurate portrait of the Iraqi public opinion that I have encountered. I know that this film showed a small sampling of what a few people think, but it was well rounded. I found this film to be both uplifting and heart breaking. It is definitly worth seeing. It didn't come to a lot of theaters but I was lucky to see it in Marion, Iowa of all places. I applaude the manager of that theater for bringing such a powerful film to my area.

Thank you,
SPC Eric Williams
389th ENG"

Powerful

Connie Anthony | 11/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The media's negative potrayal of Iraq, the Iraqi people, and our military, has been shoved down our throats for so long now. Finally, we get to see the truth about this country, the people, and why our military is there. No media involved. Just these wonderful people of Iraq.

Viewing this film will answer many questions you may have about our Government's decision to remove a madman from power. Of course, if you are an anti-war or anti-whatever liberal, you must not watch it because it may give you a different view of the whole situation and we can't have that can we. But if you are pro-humanitarian, you will watch this film again and again, with hope for these strong, intelligent, and humourous citizens of Iraq.

The producers of this film did something that no media outlet would have the gut's to do. They deserve major recognition for their efforts. Since the main stream media does not want us to see this side of Iraq, it up to us to make this happen, so encourage all of your friends & family to purchase this film.

One disagreement with the previous reviewer, I believe that this film should be seen by children. Although a few parts are hard to watch, seeing what the Iraqi children have been thru and how positive and funny they are, is very important.
"

From a Marine Mom

M. deTar | 11/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My husband and I watched the dvd from Netflix and were so impressed with the candor with which it is made. We have a son fighting in Al Anbar province and I must confess that we wanted to see the images of the real Iraq more than we wanted to hear the message of the people. Our son is too busy to send us pictures and especially video of everyday life there and we were dying with curiosity to see the movie. I have to say that it was far better than we thought it would be. Usually these documentary type films are a snooze and we were hoping not to fall asleep. It was riviting from the get go. We found ourselves hanging on every word because the people were speaking from their hearts and their message was, "Please help us to have freedom for the first time ever." Especially poignant was the conversation of the men who had been prisoners in Abu Ghraib prison under Sadaam and were finding it hilarious that our people thought that the "abuse" of the prisoners under our soldiers was torture. They pointed out that we do not know what torture is and showed which men in the prison were their former guards and torturers and detailed some of their atrocities.
I found the film eye-opening and would reccomend it highly. I will send my son a copy as soon as it is available."