Original subtitles

Northern Iraq, April 2003 three weeks after the fall of Saddam

Grandma, there's a truck.

Stop.

Grandma, he was startled by you.

Grandma?

Grandma, it's far?

Granny.

Granny.

Then I go home. Say nothing more.

What happens here? Where are you from?

Do you hear me? On the side.

- Day, sir. - Get out.

Peace be with you

- what do you mean peace? What is this crazy? - She is not crazy. It's my grandmother.

- Get her away. - No.

What do you want? Take-us. Go to nasiriyah.

Nasiriyah? Both? Nasiriyah is 1000 km away.

Why are not you?

For 500 dinars I'll take you to Baghdad.

Are you crazy? 50 dinars, nothing more.

- You're cheating us, thief. - If you do not stop I'll hit you.

Give him no money, grandma. Your grandmother-friendly.

No, there is no space. Go and sit in the back.

Your grandmother is very friendly. She is very generous.

Deceiver.

Rebuke me out, I need the money now but al

deceiver.

Son of Babylon

Give me a break.

I'm getting a headache from hell. Stop whistling.

It is the flute of my father.

I do not care. Play something fun, like Michael Jackson.

- Who? - Michael Jackson.

- Is that the mayor of your city? - No, he's not my mayor.

He is the mayor of america.

What? America.

- I care, I keep playing. - If you only dims.

Dad.

Daddy, where are you?

The echo sounds better in this tunnel then the flute.

Dad.

What are you doing? You're wasting your time.

I get him not to talk.

Want a cigarette?

- Where is your mother? - She is dead.

- And your father? - We go to him in nasiriyah.

He is brave. He saved the life of his friend.

Brave you say?

Grandma promised that we go the hanging gardens of Babylon go.

- What? Babylon? - The hanging gardens of Babylon.

- Which gardens? - Did you not in school history?

I do not care where you go is. Hanging gardens, whatever.

I'm going to call Saddam.

What?

Hello? How are you, Mr. Saddam?

Bastard you are.

- Look grandma, he calls Saddam. - Bean comes to what you deserve.

You can on my back, asshole.

Saddam was a bastard and Americans his pigs. What happens here?

What are you wearing?

- What is it? - I told you: Keep your father's jacket off.

George, check the vehicle.

- Sir? - Reverse.

I am a soldier, just like dad.

Your father was forced. He wanted to be a musician.

- Very good. Thank you. - We have solved.

Bastards.

I want you to school a doctor or engineer.

We have to stay overnight.

American dogs have probably a better life than us.

Shame on you that your child bring a to such a dangerous place.

I'll wait here for 12 years. He has his father.

Had it not done, it's too dangerous.

I have no choice, I have no one other. He must be his father.

How do you know he's alive and not in one of Saddam's mass graves located?

- I am his mother, I believe in god. - What do you mean god?

Why do you need your son if you have god?

Why do not you pray for all poor people in this misery?

That is the fault of men, not god.

How dare you doubt god?

I have not seen my daughter two years. She did not marry the man I wanted.

I prayed to god endlessly.

Yet I never saw her again. Why did not she come back?

If we lose a child, a part of us dies.

Maybe. It is getting late.

If you and the boy sleep in the car, I sleep outside.

Tomorrow we see what god has for us has in store. Come on.

0h Kurdistan, Kurdistan d

you're my home nothing on earth like you

no, nothing on earth like you

dear lord, lord

why torment us?

Why torments the kurds in Iraq?

Thousands of arabs have suffered

and many others

many poor people

being. Victims of anfal and the powerless

oh my god, oh my god

grandma, what's anfal?

Grandma?

Grandma, what's anfal?

You know the anfal not?

The anfal campaign, Iraq destroyed by the tyrant Saddam.

He went to the south of Kurdistan.

He killed kurds and arabs and destroyed every village in its path.

Everyone was killed. Children and the elderly.

That was the anfal, you understand now?

Welcome to Baghdad

Go ahead, you're the boss.

Meanwhile, we down here suffering.

Here is the alawi bus station.

Get out of here, but hurry it up.

Madam, wait. Wait a minute, ma'am.

Here, it is yours.

Take it. I hope you find your son.

Goodbye.

Come here. Grab it, boy.

Care for your grandmother and beware of dogs and wolves.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Goodbye, uncle.

- Grandma, there's no bus. - See that guy with the cart?

- Ask if there are buses to nasiriyah. - Why do not you arabic?

Learn yet another arab.

- What did he say? - That my arabic is good.

Ahmed.

He said there was no bus goes to nasiriyah. We have to wait.

Cigarette.

Grandma, I'm hungry.

Should I read it again? I've already read 100 times.

I'm tired of reading it again.

In the name of god, my name is Ali youssef.

I knew your son Ibrahim in the Gulf war in 1991.

Our unit was attacked by Americans and the coalition.

I wanted to write earlier.

I'm sorry, but your son Ibrahim was arrested by the ba'ath party.

They took him tojail

The prison in nasiriyah.

Give me my money. Fair is fair.

Give it. It's only 50 dinars, I will not beg.

Give me my money.

Five cigarettes for 250 dinars. It's war, but I just keep opening.

Nasiriyah.

The prison in nasiriyah.

Where is Ahmad? Where is he? Pardon me.

- Have you seen my grandson? - I do not speak kurdish.

My boy?

- What is it? - Do you have a kid with big eyes?

- I've been waiting two days on this bus. - My god, have you seen him?

- Would you money? - I am not a beggar.

I do not understand you.

- I am looking for my little boy. - Sorry, we do not speak kurdish.

We do not understand. Help me, what happened to Ahmed?

Has anyone seen my little boy?

He's gone. Ahmed, my child. What happened to him?

Five cigarettes for 250 dinars. Here are five.

What are you doing? I told that you can not run away.

Qasim, but it's my grandmother. Take the cigarettes.

- Qasim? Who is that? - You always want to help people.

Thank you.

Take the bag.

Stop, there's no room.

Granny.

- Grandma, come back. - Do not be afraid.

Grandma, do not leave me alone.

- Getting the money for bus tickets to. - Do something about that boy.

- What's his problem? - Driver, stop.

Sit down and shut up.

Stop.

Open the door.

Sir, his grandmother's here. Ahmed, your grandma is there.

- Stop, his grandmother's here. - What are you doing here?

This old woman runs after the bus. Why does not it?

What old woman? I drove almost flat.

- Grandma, let me never be alone. - Thank god.

I do not speak kurdish. Hear this dwarf are you?

I'm not with her. Step-off.

Boarding, we are in a hurry.

How dare you leave me to take him?

Goodbye, qasim.

Ahmed, come back to Baghdad.

When people hurt us, we must forgive them.

Your father would be proud, as well as you take care of me.

I will tell him how you stuck

with your buttocks in the window.

What about you?

I tell him how you behind the bus you run like a headless chicken.

Nasiriyah 40 km

the road is off.

Go to sleep, everybody, it's safe.

Honey, why do not you sleep?

- Grandma, I'm afraid. - What are you afraid of?

- To die. - We do not die, sweetheart.

- We continue to live forever. - No one lives forever.

I'll tell you a story.

There was once

an ancient prophet many of whom god loved.

He asked god for a gift.

God blessed him with a son, on whom he loved.

One day, god said the prophet had to sacrifice his son.

He said: "Son, I have to sacrifice, in the name of god."

The son said: "Do me a blindfold. Then you see my eyes."

He was blindfolded and put the a knife against the throat of his son.

Then suddenly a ram down from heaven.

And a voice whispered to the prophet:

"Sacrifice the ram instead of your son." The prophet obeyed god.

And the prophet lived forever in us.

Sir, I go to the toilet.

- What? - I'm going to call Saddam.

I have no time for Saddam. I have enough problems.

Mr. Hassan, to give me the wrench.

The house of prophet Ibrahim

granny.

- Ibrahim. - Your father?

- Not dad, the prophet Ibrahim. - Okay, okay.

Here we are. All trips.

- Take us to jail. - The fuel is.

Ahmed, we are going.

I'm not going to nasiriyah, it is not safe,

[come on, get off the bus.

- Where is the prison of nasiriyah? - I do not understand you. Now get out.

Ahmed.

- It hurts. I'm so sleepy. - Wake up.

We need to jail. Everyone is gone.

How do I know where it is?

People talked about it in the bus. We must follow them.

Well, I'm going first. Follow me.

Look there.

Dirty ba'athists.

Ahmed.

Do not be scared. Stay close.

Where are we?

- Grandma, I think we're lost. - Not true.

Granny. I do not like it here. I'm scared and I'm hungry.

- Why are you afraid? - I am very scared, grandma.

Do not worry, sweetheart.

See that tall building over there?

Go up there, you can see where people go.

I follow you.

- No, I'm afraid. - Honey, do not be afraid. Go.

Police?

Police?

Hello.

Is there anyone?

Granny.

Grandma, I see them. They go that way.

Ahmed.

Do not you see? They are there.

Grandma, the prison is there. Everyone goes there.

I do not want you see your father if you're so dirty.

The water is too cold.

You like it?

- Yes. Granny. - It suits you.

Grandma, you're wonderful.

What is it?

Grandma, please. Let's go inside.

To find missing relatives to the information desk.

Your pretty face is buried in the sand

my heart blood for you, boy

your pretty face is buried in the sand

eid has come and my king is no longer

he is buried in the sand

eid has come I lost my king

- Good day, sir. - Good day.

We are looking for my father, Ibrahim.

Ibrahim what? Ibrahim Khalil sharhoh.

Search on your list to Ibrahim Khalil sharhoh.

- He is not on the list. - Check again.

What does he do?

A new mass grave. Try it again.

You're lying. Liar.

- What is he saying? - You have also lied.

What did he say? Ahmed?

Dad.

Daddy, where are you? I have not seen you for twelve years.

Dad.

Daddy, where are you?

Where are you?

Ibrahim. Where are you, my son?

Ibrahim, my son, your wife has been waiting for you.

Ibrahim, were you here?

Your son grew up.

Your father was here.

Baghdad.

Sit down here.

- You all right, ma'am? Are you okay? - Yes.

Do you understand me?

Do you speak arabic? You do. Nice.

Can you whistle?

It's a beautiful flute.

He is my father.

According to grandma, I can be a musician if I'm as good as my father.

Is your dad a musician?

I'll give you an orange, which are good for you as you travel.

Where are they now? Here's one. Fortunately, I have some left.

Grab it.

One for you and one for your grandma.

Whistle is your hobby?

- My hobby is smoking. - Look at me, look at me.

I'll show you.

Would you like to see it again?

Let's see.

I can not, there is too much wind.

- You have to get out. - Try to make.

Baghdad is still far away.

The driver said the bus is broken.

- Come on, people get off. - Where are we now?

Madam, the bus is broken. We have to look.

Come on, lady.

Come on.

Hurry up.

What do you want?

- Give our money back. - What do you mean?

You're cheating us. You have brought us to Baghdad.

- Do you think only of money? - Give it back, honest.

My goodness.

- For two people, grandma and me. - You think only of money. Here.

- Actually, for three people. - My god.

Give our money back.

Welcome to Babylon

I like to wear my father's iegerjas. I want a soldier.

Really? Why do you want to be a soldier?

- Because I'm strong. - I am stronger.

I'll show you how soldiers run in the army. One, two, three

You have a lovely grandson.

I'm worried, he wants to be a soldier.

As he gets older, he forgets that. Kurdish-where did you learn?

When I was 18.

I was forced ba'athists to work in the north.

What kind of work?

What kind of work?

I was forced.

I had to attack villages. I've killed.

- Women and children. - You heard in the anfal.

No.

It was under duress. I was just two months the republican guard.

- If I would run away I was killed. - If only you were murdered, murderer.

Do not say anything, murderer. Stays away from me.

Go away, murderer. You killed my family.

- You're as bad as Saddam. - Enough.

- Enough. - Get out, killer.

Ibrahim, where are you? Come help us. He is a murderer.

I'm al

get out, killer.

- How do you know? - He is a murderer.

Let me help you.

Ibrahim.

Where is Ahmad?

Where is he?

And so you put it out.

- Grandma, what is it? - Come here.

What is the problem, grandma? Musa is a nice man.

Why do you want it to go away?

Grandmother of Ibrahim, I can not just leave.

There is a prisoner brought to the mosque.

Listen, he's in the mosque nearby.

Musa, tell grandma -Ahmed, come here.

Grandma, do you remember what I told the bus?

You said that when people hurt us, we must forgive them.

- Walk for me. - Good.

- Hello, sheik. - Hi.

- How are you? - Good. It's nice to see you.

- How are you? - She asks how you are doing.

Sheik, I need your help. First-come inside.

Thanks, but we are in a hurry. This woman is from the north.

Her son has been missing since 1991.

I heard that a prisoner here has been taken.

She wants to see if her son.

- From whom did you hear that? - A few good people, you know.

Musa, he was severely wounded. He is sick and unrecognizable.

- He's practically dead. - We hope you he is her son.

Ahmed, what does he do?

The man in the mosque was badly injured. He is unrecognizable.

- You may not see him. - Sheikh, please.

You know how mothers to give their child.

I am looking for him for twelve years. She begs you-

I looked everywhere. In Baghdad and nasiriyah. And now in Babylon.

I hope I can find it here. Please, may god bless you.

How much longer must I endure?

I counted down the days and months to this day.

Please, I beg you -do not do that.

They want him just to see. Please help her, she has no one else.

Follow me.

Honey, stay here. I'll see if it is your father.

- But it's also my dad. - I'll stay with him. Come on.

Peace be with you

come in, madam.

Madam, come.

Would you play your flute?

Will you teach me whistle?

I could be all, but you're a little better.

A little? I learn nothing.

You're the best course.

This is a great place to learn. Besides ru. Ines of nimrod.

- What do you think? - Good. The first lesson is up.

- Stand up? - Listen to the teacher.

Of course.

I am.

You're too long, now I get up.

Second lesson, keep your back straight.

So? Okay, succeeded.

- Your mouth. - My mouth?

It's all right, grandma.

Let's go home.

- Thanks for your time. - No problem, where are you going?

No idea, perhaps to the bus station.

Why do not you at the mass graves?

Musa, we're going home.

I take them first to the bus station. Goodbye.

- Goodbye. - God be with you

Musa, where the hanging gardens? Here-nearby.

- How do they look? - When stacked platforms.

There were no pumps to carry water to the top.

- So she lifted it up yourself. - You know the story behind the gardens?

Tell.

There once was a king who married a queen.

She had mountains and green fields used.

She was bored in the desert. You know what the king did?

He built the gardens. Because he loved her.

That's right. If we have time we can seek.

Grandma has promised that we go there.

If we are in the neighborhood, I bring you there.

Who are they?

Turn it to one side.

What are they?

Bodies from mass graves recently found.

Victims of 1991.

Grandma, what is it?

We need him to take home.

What do you mean?

We will not go home?

Ahmed, stay here.

Stay away from the graves. Razzak, watch him.

How can I help my grandma? She's sick.

I do not know what to do.

Can you whistle?

Well?

- Ibrahim Khalil sharhoh? - Not here.

There are more graves in ai-mahawil.

- Is not he here? - No.

- Are you sure? Thank you. - God be with you.

- His name is Ibrahim Khalil sharhoh. - He is not here.

You always say that he is not there. I want to ask yourself.

Go sit there.

What has become of us?

I can not understand what you say?

We were only married for one year when they took him.

Ahmed grew up without a father.

Fatima stayed behind. She is now 12 and asks him daily.

I have searched in prisons, and now I search among the graves.

And I can not find him.

Hello.

Of water.

- Sir? - Yes?

I do not speak kurdish, but I feel her pain.

Have you talked? Her son is missing.

Grandma Ibrahim, come we go.

- I help her. - Thank you.

Granny. Do not cry. |'|| help you-to find dad.

This is her grandson Ahmad.

No, it's good. We already have an elevator. Do not worry, ma'am.

Thank you. Razzak waiting. Come on, he waits.

Stop.

- Ahmed, what is it? - Musa, I go along with my grandmother.

- Yes, come. - No, musa.

- I just have to take my grandmother. - Why?

Musa, you can notjoin us. You need to go home.

- Why, Ahmed? - Musa, my dear.

My son was forced to soldier be. And so it happened.

Thanks for your help. I forgive you.

- I want to continue helping. - You so much for us.

I forgive you.

- Ahmed. - God be with you.

Pay attention to your grandmother.

Go back to the mosque if you're in trouble.

The sheikh will take you to my house. Good?

Goodbye, musa.

Goodbye, musa.

Ahmed.

I want to bring to Babylon.

The hanging gardens.

Oh brother wounded, injured brother

stand up so I can take care of your wounds

Babylon and aur miss you

even the birds cry for you

oh mother, we seek to our lost loved ones

our lost loved ones

we sleep and stay in Babylon

we sleep and stay

the loss of our sons feels like the loss of our soul

we want to see them walking with the other boys

they wear their coats over their shoulders

grandma, I do not want to be a soldier.

I want to be a musician, just like dad.

Grandma?

I'm going to ask this man.

Ibrahim. My son, where are you?

He is not here. Most bodies are unknown.

We can not identify. There are new graves.

See if he is there. Wait a minute.

O my son, I miss you so.

I've looked for you everywhere.

The man said he is not here.

There is another mass grave found where to look.

Grandma, please.

Please, grandma.

Grandma, look. His name is Omar.

This is called Salem.

Grandma, this is called jawad.

Grandma, it is unclear, there is no name.

Oh my god.

Stop crying, please.

Please grandma. That's enough.

Stop, I beg you.

Ibrahim, my dear son.

Stop it. Let's go, please.

Ibrahim.

What is it, grandma? I'm not Ibrahim.

When Ibrahim was a baby

when he was a baby

- Where are we? - The wines of Babylon.

Granny.

Do not let me down.

Grandma, we are in Babylon.

In the last 40 years, more than one million people missing in Iraq

in 2009 a total of 300 mass graves found with about 250,000 bodies

the majority is still missing or not ge.'|'.Dentificeerd

Directed by Mohamed ai-daradji