Heavy Metal In Baghdad began as a magazine article about Acrassicauda. That drew the interest of filmmakers Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi. They periodically followed the band from 2004 to 2006. The beginning of the documentary shows Acrassicauda as a complete band, and chronicles their final show in Iraq. They eventually flee the country and end up in Syria, at least temporarily. The band's story is interesting, as are the experiences of the filmmakers in trying to locate the different bands members and navigating through a war zone.
The direct point of the documentary is how the war in Iraq affected the heavy metal band Acrassicauda and their members. The larger message is the effect on an entire generation of youth living in a country at war and how it changes their lives, hopes and dreams. It's a bit rough in spots, but filming a documentary in Baghdad is a dangerous proposition. Heavy Metal In Baghdad is an important and very compelling examination of metal, politics, war and family.
(released June 10, 2008 on Vice Films)
