Heavy Metal In Baghdad (Vice Films) documents Acrassicauda – the first and possibly only Metal band in Iraq. Director Eddy Moretti and interviewer Suroosh Alvi of Vice magazine travel through the Middle East, tracking the band they’ve become infatuated with. They risk danger, donning flak jackets and are even escorted by armed guards just to tell the band’s story of woe.
Acrassicauda is comprised of four Iraqi twenty-somethings: Firas, Marwan, Faisal, and an insanely gifted lead guitarist named Tony. Over the course of several years, Acrassicauada’s existence is shown – from their loyal following of Metal-heads in their native Baghdad to living in slums as refugees in Syria. The quartet is more than obliging during the film, often times risking their own lives just to meet with Alvi and Moretti. But that is nothing new to them – the band risks their lives daily just by playing Metal music, by wearing Slipknot t-shirts, and by growing goatees. They’re all targets to dogmatic insurgents and militia, but it’s all just part of life for them.
If any city frowns upon a Heavy Metal scene, it is certainly Baghdad, where just head-banging can get you thrown in jail. The details surrounding the band are disturbing as well: power failures in the middle of gigs, gunfire during interviews, and the destruction of their practice space by missiles. Near the beginning of the documentary, Marwan – the drummer – says that Acrassicauda is not political; but as the film goes on, it becomes harder and harder for them to ignore their desperate situation. Nevertheless, Acrassicauda trudge through their country’s misfortune, continually finding redemption in their music.
The film is effective in showing the ravages of war and how it affects innocent civilians like the members of Acrassicauda. It does an excellent job illustrating the enduring struggles that a young band must face in an ever-imploding setting that’s constantly torn with conflict. Tensions build and the suspense never lets up, eventually leading to a gut-wrenching climax. The sentiments are genuine and ultimately, heartbreaking.
– Michael Danaher
If you’re in the Chicago area, Heavy Metal in Baghdad will be screened at the Stop Smiling storefront, located at 1371 N. Milwaukee on Thursday, June 19th at 7PM. RSVP to rsvp@stopsmilingonline.com. An afterparty with DJs Laurent Lebec (Pelican) and Ben Fasman will take place from 10 PM to 4 AM at the Continental, located at 2801 W. Chicago.
Heavy Metal in Baghdad: www.heavymetalinbaghdad.com
Acrassicauda: www.myspace.com/wwwacrassicaudas5com
VBS.TV: www.vbs.tv