In the Shadow of the Palms

In the Shadow of the Palms
Directed by Wayne Coles-Janess
Produced by Wayne Coles-Janess
Written by Wayne Coles-Janess
Cinematography Wayne Coles-Janess
Editing by Wayne Coles-Janess
Distributed by Ipso Facto Productions
Release date(s) 2005
Running time 90 minutes
Country Australia
Language Arabic

In the Shadow of the Palms is the only documentary filmed in Iraq prior to, during and after the fall of Saddam Hussein. It documents the changes in Iraqi society, and the lives of ordinary Iraqis by focusing on a cross-section of individuals.

Contents

Plot

In the Shadow of the Palms documents how life really is for the society and people living under twelve years of sanctions and the Saddam regime.

The film follows a number of individuals as they prepare for the coalition war against them, continuing to tell their stories as the tens of thousands of coalition cruise missiles and guided bombs fall around them. Living and filming with ordinary Iraqis, the film observed first hand the devastating effects of the extensive bombing campaign on the lives of civilians.

This documentary gives the viewer an intimate, character-based insight into Iraqi society, as the war takes the “cradle of civilization” towards what is increasing being considered “year zero”.

Director Wayne Coles-Janess spent months in Baghdad, filming during an exceptional period in world history.

Festival awards

Official selection and invitations

Allied projects

Two projects are being run as a result of the war and related to the film:

  1. "Liberty" -- a residence solution for a family that appears in the film and who are now stateless as a result of the war. Ipso-facto productions has been communicating with the Red Cross and the UNHCR.
  2. "Amer" -- financially supporting the rehabilitation of the hearing impaired 5 year old Amer. Ipso-facto productions sponsors the costs of rehabilitation for Amer in France and Amman.

Related pages

External links