Heavy Metal In Baghdad

Directed by: Eddy Moretti, Suroosh Alvi

Foregoing the argument of how dedicated a metal fan is to their music, Heavy Metal In Baghdad is a shocking documentary that proves just how disgustingly easy North America has it. While we whine about not getting enough sugar in our morning coffee, a group of young men are ducking SCUD missiles and desperately evading enrollment in the Iraqi army so that they can play music and, well, survive.

Heavy Metal In Baghdad revolves around the story of Iraq's sole metal band Acrassicauda (Black Scorpion). Following the band from 2003 to the present day, we witness five young men struggle to perform as a band (achieving a total of six shows in as many years) in the face of Muslim resistance, war and a general distaste for their brand of music.

The greater point of Heavy Metal In Baghdad is not about how good the band are or how a metalhead will die for his music. It's about the intensity of life for some and the means that they must employ to endure. By film's end, it's clear that while Acrassicauda perform an extreme music genre, it's their reaction to extreme living conditions. They embrace music — and metal — in order to escape madness and frustration. Heavy Metal In Baghdad is a truly compelling documentary that's unique, well-documented and shocking.