Reviving Iraqi cinema has taken a bold step forward as a classic Iraqi film heads to the Cannes Festival. Saeed Effendi, directed by Kurdish filmmaker Kamran Hosni, will be screened in the festival’s classic section. This screening marks a cultural milestone for Iraq and its cinematic legacy.
The film’s selection came through the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office. A cultural committee chose it to represent Iraq in this prestigious global festival. Officials believe this move supports the mission of reviving Iraqi cinema on the international stage.
The film was carefully restored in France. The French National Institute of Audiovisual Arts handled the restoration. It is one of 104 significant Iraqi films preserved from the 1940s to the early 2000s. The restoration project seeks to highlight Iraq’s artistic contributions and cinematic history.
Additionally, the Cannes Classic section revealed several other titles. Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush will also be shown. This film remains one of silent cinema’s most celebrated works. It reflects the lasting impact of early filmmaking on global culture.
Cannes features a wide range of programming. The classic section showcases timeless films and encourages deep conversations around them. These films are not only screened but also discussed by critics and cinephiles.
Festival organizers also unveiled the official poster. It features a romantic scene from A Man and a Woman by Claude Lelouch. This French film originally won top honors at Cannes. It later earned an Academy Award. This year’s poster merges two images into one—a first in the festival’s history.
Organizers described the theme behind their choices. They emphasized cinema’s power to connect people in times of division. They stressed that human connection, not the sky, now lights the way forward.
Reviving Iraqi cinema stands as more than a slogan—it reflects a larger movement. It represents the resilience of artists, the preservation of stories, and the promise of cultural rebirth.
While Kurdish filmmakers have long joined the festival, few have received major honors. Only Yılmaz Güney won the Golden Palm. However, Shahram Alidi won three critic awards for his film about the Anfal tragedy.
Reviving Iraqi cinema means restoring more than films. It means reclaiming Iraq’s voice in the global cultural conversation.
