Heavy Metal in Central London

A rare and unexpected first-hand experience of day to to day life in Iraq/ Baghdad. This film takes you by the hand and leads you right through the front door, directly into the lives and living rooms of these young, articulate metal heads. Immediate, funny and moving.

Written by Mandy Brown on September 9th, 2008 at 12:20

Firstly, can i just say thank you to Little White Lies for the screening and the free tipple afterward. Much appreciated.

As for the film, I thought that in parts the movie was affecting and poignant. As a portrait of regular guys that are just trying to play music in the middle of a war-zone it was emotive and effective. However, that said, i found there to be a complete lack of a cohesive narrative. As a piece of film making it seemed naive, and lost. I thought that the film makers put themselves into the story too much, rather than allow a genuine story to unfold. It didn’t help that i found the presenter thoroughly unlikeable and at times obnoxious.

I also found it patronizing that after each date, there would be an inter-title explaining how much time had passed.

Anyways, thems are my thoughts. Once again many thanks and I look forward to the next one.

Written by Badger Boy on September 9th, 2008 at 12:23

An inspiring and uplifting film! I rooted for Acrassicauda and cared deeply about the band members. It was unique to hear an Iraqi youth perspective on the war.
I admired the filmmakers for taking us on a dangerous, matter-of-fact journey through the band’s life and exposing the true adversity faced by all young Iraqis at the moment, as they negotiated the streets of Baghdad and Syria.
I was inspired to search for information about their fate on the net afterwards and was really pleased to see that they have upcoming gigs in the USA. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for them.
Thanks for the opportunity to see it.

Written by Yvette on September 9th, 2008 at 14:48

Long live the Film Knight:
What a great idea for a night out (my first one obviously)! I really love the venue and the cinema is perfect for this purpose. It was great to meet you (Matt and Danny) and hopefully next time I’ll be able to stick around a little longer for a proper chat about the film.

Long live Acrassicauda:
I don’t like ‘metal’. I don’t particularly like documentaries. I loved this movie. There was something about the band, and the way they came across, which was simultaneously amusing and affecting. Yes the film makers were in the story a lot, but this did not detract from it for me. Their presence served two major puposes; the first being to provide a journey, along which we could travel with them. Into the lives of these young men with whom they ultimately became friends (and now potentially saviours – would anyone have known about them this quickly without this work?); the second being to draw an immediate, stark contrast between themselves and their lives, and those of the band. I personally did not find them obnoxious, rather I felt they were shocked and dumbfounded that they couldn’t travel without an ever increasing entourage of body guards, be seen with any member of the band without their lives being put in danger, or stand outside of a car for more than three minutes without fear of being gunned down by a sinper or intercepted by the police. Things which, in the UK would seem outrageous, disturbing and intolerable.

All in, this film was truely touching and eye-opening.

Written by Owen on September 16th, 2008 at 21:37