The Journey Selected as Iraq's Official Submission for Oscars' Best Foreign-Language Film Category

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After Winning 6 Awards at International Festivals

The Journey Selected as Iraq's Official Submission for Oscars' Best Foreign-Language Film Category


The Iraqi Ministry of Culture has selected director by Mohamed Al Daradji's film The Journey as Iraq's official submission for the 2019 Academy Awards in the Best Foreign-Language Film category. This submission is considered a revival in Iraqi cinema; as the film was commercially successful and went on to participate in international film festivals. MAD Solutions is currently preparing to release the film in several Arab countries.

The Journey was recently screened at the Kazan International Muslim Film Festival and the NVIC - Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo, in addition to a Special Mention at the Oran International Arabic Film Festival. The film won the Jury Award and Best Actress Award at the Muscat International Film Festival, and the Special Jury Award at its Egyptian premiere at the Sharm El-Sheikh Film Festival, in addition to two awards; the Grand Prize of the Arab World Institute and the Best Actress Award to Zahraa Ghandour, at the Festival des Cinémas Arabes à Paris.

Set in Baghdad in 2006. As Sara stands on the cusp of committing an unthinkable act, an unforeseen and awkward encounter gives her the opportunity to witness the potential consequences of her destructive action. But is this a second chance or an admission of guilt?

Directed by Mohamed Al Daradji, who co-wrote the film with Isabelle Stead, The Journey stars Zahraa Ghandour and Ameer Jbara. The film is produced by Human Film, Iraqi Independent Film Center (IIFC), in cooperation with Lionceau Films, Iraq Al-Rafidain and Iraqi Media Network. The Journey received grants from the Doha Film Institute, AFAC - The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, World Cinema Fund (WCF), the Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image Animée (CNC) of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Institut Français, Netherlands Film Fund, SANAD Development Fund (Abu Dhabi Film Festival) and Screen Yorkshire. The film is distributed in the Arab world by MAD Solutions.