Abbas Fahdel, a renowned filmmaker of great distinction, hailed from the storied city of Babylon, nestled in the heart of Iraq. At the tender age of 18, he made the courageous and forward-thinking decision to bid farewell to his homeland and embark on a journey to France, where he would subsequently earn his Ph.D. from the esteemed Sorbonne University.
Fahdel's journey to his homeland was a long-awaited one, not occurring until the dawn of the 21st century in the year 2002. At this pivotal moment, he found himself bearing a French passport, a tangible symbol of his experiences and the new chapter of his life that was unfolding.
This decision to revisit his childhood home, a place where memories of his youth lingered, served as the catalyst for his documentary film, Retour à Babylone. In this cinematic endeavor, Fahdel embarked on a deeply personal journey, seeking to reconnect with his former friends and acquaintances, and to explore the profound changes that had taken place in their lives.
As he delved into the lives of those he once knew, Fahdel found himself confronted with the harsh realities of a country in turmoil. The once-familiar landscape of his childhood had given way to a nation beset by conflict, and the people he had left behind had been forever altered by the trials they had faced.
Through his film, Fahdel offers a poignant exploration of the human experience, one that is at once deeply personal and universally relatable. Set against the backdrop of a country in chaos, Retour à Babylone is a powerful testament to the enduring power of human resilience, and the enduring bonds that connect us to our past.
A mere 12 months had elapsed since Fahdel's initial departure from Iraq, yet the circumstances had transformed dramatically, propelling him back to the war-torn nation in February 2003, with a newfound determination to capture on film the lives of his family and friends, as well as an ancient superstition-driven desire to shield them from the numerous perils that lurked, threatening to upend their very existence.
But fate, it seemed, had other plans. The outbreak of war, with its unpredictable and devastating consequences, forced Fahdel to abandon his beloved homeland once more, leaving him to grapple with the anguish of separation from those he held dearest, and to suffer the crushing blow of losing all contact with the people he had come to know and love.
Fahdel, a visionary filmmaker, embarked on a journey back to his homeland of Iraq, only to be met with a stark reality that left an indelible mark on his psyche. Two months had passed since his initial departure, and the country he once knew had been transformed into a battleground, ravaged by the devastating effects of violence and chaos. The dark shadow of the once-nightmarish dictatorship had finally lifted, giving way to a new era of uncertainty, where the very fabric of society hung precariously in the balance. This precarious era, marked by an air of unpredictability, presented a stark contrast to the stability that once characterized Iraq, leaving the people to ponder the possibility of either a brighter future or a descent into further despair. This tumultuous period in Iraqi history served as the catalyst for Fahdel's second documentary film, "Nous les Irakiens," a powerful testament to the resilience and fortitude of the Iraqi people in the face of adversity.
Fahdel's inaugural feature film, L'aube du monde, was released in 2008, marking a significant milestone in his cinematic journey. This war drama offered a distinctive perspective on the multifaceted consequences of the Gulf Wars, shedding light on the profound and far-reaching effects of these devastating conflicts on the region.
The setting of this thought-provoking film is a location steeped in biblical history, the Garden of Eden, which was forever transformed by the ravages of war.
Fahdel's groundbreaking documentary, titled Homeland (Iraq Year Zero),made its highly anticipated debut in 2015, subsequently garnering widespread critical acclaim and numerous prestigious awards at renowned film festivals globally.
Biography:
Fahdel's work is deeply rooted in his Iraqi heritage and his experiences growing up amidst the turmoil of the Gulf War and its aftermath. Born in 1975, Fahdel spent his early years in Iraq, where he was exposed to the devastating effects of war on civilians. This exposure had a profound impact on his life, shaping his perspective and inspiring his creative endeavors.
In 2003, Fahdel left Iraq and began his journey as a filmmaker, driven by a desire to share the stories of those affected by war and to shed light on the human cost of conflict. Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to produce documentaries that capture the complexity and depth of human experiences, often focusing on the stories of those who have been marginalized or silenced.
Fahdel's work is characterized by its meticulous attention to detail, its ability to evoke powerful emotions, and its commitment to giving voice to those who have been silenced by war and oppression. His films have been recognized and celebrated at numerous international film festivals, including Visions du Réel, Locarno, Yamagata, Carthage, Montreal, and Milano, among others.
In the year 2018, a significant milestone was reached in the career of a renowned filmmaker, as his feature film Yara was selected for exhibition at a multitude of prestigious film festivals around the world.
The Locarno International Film Festival, a renowned event in the Swiss town of Locarno, played host to the film, alongside the Mar del Plata International Film Festival in Argentina, the Gijon International Film Festival in Spain, the Los Angeles Film Festival in the United States, the Athena Film Festival in the United States, and the Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia.
This remarkable achievement served to further solidify the filmmaker's reputation as a prominent and influential figure in the industry, distinguished by his distinctive voice and perspective.
