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SIFF 2008 > Heavy Metal in Baghdad

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Filmmakers Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi produced this incredible documentary about exiled Iraqi metal band Acrassicauda, chronicling their modest yet brave start in Iraq before the American-led war on the country to their humble new beginnings in Damascus, Syria. Iraqi metal is relatively unknown, and the band Acrassicauda -- whose name is Latin for "black scorpion" -- formed to harness young energy and enthusiasm towards metal, a scene that is mostly off the radar. Inspired by American and European metal bands such as Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer, Acrassicauda trumps all metal bands for their genuine experiences playing a rare concert at the hotel near the highly fortified Green Zone and rehearsing with mortar fire in the distance. How hardcore can you get?

Band members eventually moved out of Baghdad following Hussein's toppled regime in 2003 and the subsequent bombing of the building that was their rehearsal space for 6 years. Resettling in Damascus, the band continues to struggle with their music aspirations, family lives, and eke out a living as ex-pat Iraqis in Syria. Will Acrassicauda find a new fan base for metal in Damascus?

"Heavy Metal in Baghdad" recently screened at the Seattle International Film Festival over Memorial Day Weekend.

Check out this site to watch the film trailer for the film, read more about the filmmakers and the band, and to pre-order the DVD.
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