Kurdish-directed ‘Said Effendi' to make historic debut at Cannes Festival
More than a decade on, 2,500 Yazidis still missing after ISIS attack
Iraqi university to launch AI programs
Iraqi ministry says over 2,200 prisoners released under general amnesty law
Iraq welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Sunday announced the selection of the 1956 film 'Said Effendi' to be featured in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival's classic section. The film, a landmark of Iraqi cinema, was directed by renowned Kurdish filmmaker and screenwriter Kameran Hosni.
A statement from the prime minister's office noted that the al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham Committee for Iraqi Visual Memory, operating under Sudani's office, declares the film's participation at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
'This historic selection - the first of its kind for Iraqi cinema - is the result of the Iraqi Cinematheque project, which seeks to revive Iraq's cinematic heritage and share it with the world,' the statement added.
'Said Effendi' is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Iraq's film history. Set in 1950s Baghdad, the social drama follows a humble and principled schoolteacher who, after moving to a new neighborhood with his family, encounters tensions and misunderstandings with his neighbors. The film explores themes of class, coexistence, and changing societal values in a rapidly modernizing Iraq.
The film's inclusion in Cannes was made possible after its restoration by the French National Audiovisual Institute, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Iraq and the Cinémathèque Iraq project - a national initiative focused on digitizing, restoring, and preserving Iraqi cinema.
'Said Effendi is one of 104 Iraqi feature films, produced between the 1940s and early 2000s, that the Iraqi Cinematheque project aims to preserve and restore,' the statement noted.
According to Hassan al-Sudani, an advisor to the Iraqi premier, the Baghdad government plans to expand the initiative beyond cinema to include restoration of Iraq's television and radio archives in upcoming projects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
13-07-2025
- Shafaq News
Birdsong and solace: Iraqis turn to pet birds for joy and mental relief
Shafaq News In a country where urban stress and societal tension often weigh heavily on daily life, many Iraqi families are turning to an unexpected source of comfort: the melodic chirping and vibrant plumage of ornamental birds. The trend, once considered a niche hobby for collectors and older enthusiasts, is now gaining wide popularity among mothers, children, and even those living alone. The shift is more than decorative — it's psychological. Living Symphony 'I didn't expect birds to bring this much happiness into our house,' said Israa Sahib, a mother of four in Baghdad. Speaking to Shafaq News, she recounted how her children insisted on having birds after seeing homing pigeons at a relative's home. 'I chose smaller ornamental birds because they're easier to tame, don't need rooftop towers like pigeons, and stay quietly in their cages. They've made our home feel alive.' She described the transformation in her household: 'Their colors, their songs — they brought joy to the kids, and their happiness made me happy too.' This sentiment is echoed across Baghdad's famed Ghazil pet market, where bird sellers display a dazzling array of species: parakeets, lovebirds (including the brightly colored rosy-faced species), finches like the zebra-striped zebrata, melodious canaries, and sleek cockatiels — all more popular now than the traditional homing pigeon. From Pigeons to Pets The pigeon, once a cultural icon across Iraqi rooftops, has faded in popularity, especially among younger and urban residents. A bird seller in the Ghazil market told Shafaq News, 'Mothers, kids, teenagers — they all want ornamental birds now. Pigeons still have their loyal followers, mostly older men or professionals, but they're less practical for today's homes.' He added that homing pigeons carry many drawbacks: 'They're noisy, they leave droppings on rooftops and balconies, and they require space to fly and training to return.' Iraq's growing urban density and shrinking household space have only accelerated the shift toward smaller, indoor-friendly species. Prices for ornamental birds range from as little as 5,000 Iraqi dinars (under $4) to 150,000 dinars for imported canaries or jumbo species, making them accessible to a wide range of Iraqis. For many, these birds are more than a visual delight. They become companions. Ahmed Majid, a bachelor living in a small apartment in Baghdad, told Shafaq News, 'I live alone, and the birds give me peace. When I come back from work, I feel like someone is waiting for me.' He said their presence helps relieve the isolation and stress of solitary urban life. 'They distract me, comfort me. I don't feel alone anymore.' Psychologist Manahel Al-Saleh explained this phenomenon, noting, 'Many people find emotional relief in raising birds. These creatures are gentle and responsive — people feel they share their emotions, especially those who live alone.' She added that for some owners, the relationship with the birds becomes deeply personal, 'Some believe the birds sense their moods — joy, anger, sadness — and respond accordingly. This deepens the human–bird bond.' According to Al-Saleh, the attraction stems from the birds' role as living, responsive beings that evoke calm. 'In a chaotic world, people look for softness and peace. The birds' movements and chirping absorb stress and relax the mind.' Growing Hobby While no official statistics are available, anecdotal evidence from market sellers and pet supply vendors suggests the number of bird owners in Iraq has steadily increased since the 1980s — when choices were mostly limited to parrots and canaries. Today's enthusiasts have access to a wider range of species, including cockatiels, goldfinches, and hybrid breeds imported from abroad. What's driving the surge? Sellers point to a mix of affordability, aesthetic value, and the therapeutic effect birds have on their owners. Psychological studies globally support what Iraqi families are experiencing anecdotally. The act of caring for birds — feeding, observing, listening to them — is known to promote mindfulness, reduce anxiety, and increase feelings of connectedness. In Iraq, where communities continue to recover from conflict, displacement, and economic uncertainty, this growing hobby offers not just recreation, but a subtle, quiet form of emotional healing. As Al-Saleh put it, 'Sometimes, healing comes not through words, but through the flutter of wings and a soft, persistent song.'
Memri
10-07-2025
- Memri
Egyptian TV Host Muhammad Musa: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion Detail a Plot to Distract Arab and Islamic Societies with Soccer
On June 26, 2025, Egyptian TV host Muhammad Musa said on Al-Hadath Al-Youm TV (Egypt) that The Protocols of the Elders of Zion was aimed at destroying Arab and Islamic societies. He claimed the book outlines a plan to drown the world in a 'soccer craze' in order to distract Arabs and prevent them from making any progress. Musa said the Elders of Zion sought to keep Arabs focused on trivial matters so they would forget their greater goals. He previously discussed the Protocols in a September 2022 show as well, saying that The Protocols of the Elders of Zion contains plots to dissolve states and to spread deviant and decadent art and music.
Iraqi News
05-06-2025
- Iraqi News
Nour Al-Waili's debut solo exhibition Number 9 opens at French Institute in Baghdad
Baghdad ( – The French Institute in Iraq – Baghdad is currently hosting Number 9 (الرقم ٩), the first solo exhibition by promising Iraqi visual artist Nour Al-Waili. The exhibition opened on May 22, 2025, and will run for two weeks, offering a unique window into the artist's creative evolution. Number 9 invites visitors to explore Al-Waili's artistic journey through nine distinct paintings and nine intricate collage works. These pieces are said to reflect a decade of her personal and creative development, presenting the world through her honest, spontaneous, realistic, and unfiltered perspective. The French Institute in Iraq – Baghdad, known for promoting French culture and fostering Franco-Iraqi artistic exchange, provides a prestigious platform for Al-Waili's debut. The exhibition's opening was notably attended by the French Ambassador for Human Rights, Ms. Isabelle Rome, highlighting its cultural significance.
