Heavy Metal in Baghdad

Friday, January 23
8:00 PM, Housing Community Center

Heavy Metal in Baghdad is a feature film documentary that follows Iraq’s only heavy metal band Acrassicauda from shortly after the invasion of Iraq to the present day. Despite being accused of being Satanists by other Muslims who don’t understand what heavy metal music is, they dream of being a famous metal band. After initially facing challenges from Saddam’s regime, they thought they would finally have freedom to play after his fall. When the country fell into bloody fighting, that hope was lost. As Iraq comes apart around them, we see the war through the eyes of the band members and get a humanizing and unique look at the conflict.

From 2003-2006, Iraq disintegrated around them while Acrassicauda struggled to stay together and stay alive, always refusing to let their heavy metal dreams die. Their story echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis.