Review of Heavy Metal in Baghdad (2007) by Christopher C — 27 Nov 2010

Do not get lost by the metal antics of the fans of this band who brave the war zone and the oppression outside to express their freedoms.

Bear in mind that the band has no chance for exposure to the world outside, and the places where they could be accepted. Their guitar player is stellar. In North America of Europe he'd be snapped up instantly by established musicians who respect his talent.

Respect the filmmakers for their courage in continually visiting dangerous places most of us would never dare.

The real important facts of this documentary are shown in the difficulty the "freed" people of Iraq have in expressing themselves on the streets, where the wrong T-shirt or facial hair can get you shot. As they say, 'when Saddam was the bad guy, we all knew who he was. Now, there are a thousand bad guys, and we can't trust anybody'.

If anybody was foolish enough to think the common people of that country are any different in their hopes and dreams that anybody else, prepare to be illuminated. They are the ones that suffer oppression from all sides.

If they stay, they risk death or kidnapping. If they leave, their new countries give them no work visas and they are exploited like animals. Filled with frustrations, our guys here pick up axes and drumsticks instead of guns, and you can't visit a friend who lives ten minutes away.

Seeing some of the negative critical response to this, I'd say they completely missed the point.

I have yet to watch the mini-feature on the disc detailing their time in Turkey. I am sure it will provide more interest in their plight. I hope this film helps them out as much as the Anvil doc did for that band.

"Democracy" brought by war leaves only corruption and is done to benefit corporate interest. "Freedom" isn't freedom for the oppressed people. These people are not "terrorists".

Of all the films I have seen on this subject, none has done a better job of showing what it must be like to live there.