Baghdad-Al-Sharqiya, September 16: The Cinema and Theater Department of the Iraqi Ministry of Culture announced the nomination of the film “Hanging Gardens” to compete for the “Oscar” Award for Best International Film in the ninety-sixth session of the award.
It stated in a press statement: “The Iraqi film ‘Janayn Mu’allaqa’ was nominated to participate in the 2024 Academy Award, which received a grant from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities for the year 2019, after its successes in Arab and international festivals and its receipt of many awards.”
The film's director, Ahmed Yassin, wrote on his Facebook page: "I am extremely honored and proud after the official announcement by the Department of Cinema and Theater that our film Hanging Gardens has been chosen to represent Iraq at the Oscars."
He added: “This journey was a struggle full of love, a collaboration between exceptional talents, and a testimony to the power of the art of narrative. I would like to express my gratitude to the team and to all who supported us throughout this period. Our film will represent the richness of Iraqi cinema and hopefully resonate with a global audience. Thank you.” Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.”
The film is directed by Ahmed Yassin and stars Jawad Al-Shukarji and Wissam Diaa.
The events of the film revolve around the story of two brothers during the American occupation of Iraq, and the political, economic and social effects of this occupation.
Two brothers, Taha and Asaad, work in collecting metal and plastic from a famous garbage dump called (The Hanging Gardens of Babylon) in Baghdad. When Asaad finds a discarded rubber doll and decides to own it, the doll puts the brothers’ relationship to the test.
