Watch Forget Baghdad: Jews and Arabs - The Iraqi Connection

Forget Baghdad: Jews and Arabs - The Iraqi Connection is a documentary film that explores the lives and experiences of a group of Iraqi Jews who were forced to leave their homes in Baghdad in the 1950s and 1960s, amidst a wave of anti-Jewish sentiment that swept across post-colonial Iraq. The film, directed by Samir, a Swiss-Iraqi filmmaker, takes a comprehensive look at the complex historical, political, and cultural contexts that led to the forced migration of Iraqi Jews, and explores the enduring bonds between Jewish and Arab communities in Iraq, despite the tumultuous events of the 20th century.

From the outset, the film draws viewers into the world of its subjects, a group of Iraqi Jews who grew up in Baghdad during the early-to-mid 20th century. Through interviews, archival footage, and personal recollections, we are introduced to a diverse cast of characters, ranging from writers and scholars to artists and musicians, all of whom share a common bond of having grown up in a thriving Jewish community in Iraq. As we delve deeper into the personal stories of these individuals, we begin to understand the cultural richness and diversity of Iraq's Jewish community, whether it be through the writings of literary figures such as Shimon Ballas or the music of legendary composer Saleh Al-Kuwaity.

But as the film reveals, this vibrant cultural scene was soon to be shattered by a wave of nationalism and anti-Semitism that swept through Iraq in the years following its independence from Britain. In gripping detail, the film charts the rise of political movements such as the Baath Party, and the ways in which the Jewish population became increasingly marginalized and persecuted, culminating in the mass exodus of tens of thousands of Iraqi Jews in the 1950s and 60s. Through a mix of archival footage and interviews with survivors, we gain a sense of the trauma and upheaval that accompanied this forced migration - the loss of homes, businesses, and communities, and the uprooting of entire families.

Yet despite these hardships, the film also highlights the enduring connections between Jewish and Arab communities in Iraq, both before and after the mass migration. Through interviews with contemporary Iraqis - artists, intellectuals, and writers - we gain a sense of the rich cultural legacy that remains, and the ways in which Jews and Arabs alike have continued to draw on this shared history. The film also explores the ways in which Iraqi Jews have maintained their own cultural heritage, whether through language or music, even as they have dispersed across the globe.

Overall, Forget Baghdad is a powerful and poignant meditation on the complexities of identity, culture, and belonging, and the ways in which historical events can shape the lives of individuals and communities across generations. With its nuanced and sensitive approach, the film offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the Iraqi Jewish experience, and sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of Middle Eastern history.