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Baghdad Twist

2007 33 min
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Take a tour through the fragmented memories of an Arab exile

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Baghdad Twist

Details

Featuring a unique collection of archival images, home movies and family photographs from Iraq, Baghdad Twist is a short film that pulls back the curtain on Iraq's once thriving Jewish community. Baghdad-born filmmaker Joe Balass takes us on a journey through the fragmented memories of an Arab exile. This powerful collage forms a portrait of a time and place that no longer exists.

Developing Countries Families Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism All subjects
  • participation
    Valentine Balass
  • writer
    Joe Balass
  • director
    Joe Balass
  • producer
    Germaine Ying Gee Wong
  • editor
    Annie Jean
  • associate producer
    Aisling Chin-Yee
  • research
    Joe Balass
  • photo animation
    Philippe Raymond
    Jean-Marc Brosseau
    Stephan Gaudreault
  • sound recording
    David Ballard
  • sound editing
    Don Ayer
  • music recording
    DeTour Sound
  • re-recording
    Shelley Craig
  • original music
    Dino Giancola
    Janet Lumb
  • whispers
    Chloé Wong Mersereau
  • translation
    Joe Balass
  • titles
    Philippe Raymond
    Gaspard Gaudreau
    Stephan Gaudreault
  • online editor
    David Oxilia
  • photo scanning
    Louise Overy
    Stephan Gaudreault
  • post-production coordinator
    Linda Payette
    Steve Hallé
    Pierre Ferlatte
  • digital editing technician
    Ochelle Greenidge
    Ariel Santana
    Pierre Dupont
    Isabelle Painchaud
    Danielle Raymond
  • production administration assistant
    Sia Koukoulas
    Miya Kondo
  • program administrator
    Dan Emery
    Marie Tonto-Donati
    Nickie Merulla
  • marketing manager
    Moira Keigher
  • research cinematography
    Claudine Sauvé
    Bill Kerrigan
    Alain Julfayan
    Marlene Millar
  • assistant camera
    Eric Bensoussan
    Philippe Prud'homme
  • executive producer
    Ravida Din
    Sally Bochner

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Education

School subjects
Diversity - Diversity in Communities History - Canada 1946-1991 History - World History

Before viewing, ask history and society students to research the Jewish Iraqi experience of the mid-20th century, comparing to contemporary Iraqi and Middle East issues. After viewing, students may further explore: Jewish world history; the Middle Eastern female voice; and the Middle Eastern immigrant experience of Canada. Film/media students can evaluate the ironic effect of intercutting with British news clips, as well as the use of different narrative voices.

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