THE FILMMAKER
Albaqer Jafeer is an Iraqi director who participated in filmmaking workshops in Baghdad and around the world where he studied screenwriting, directing, editing and production management. Jafeer’s filmography includes short documentaries, experimental films and feature documentary films. His last short film, Mother of Mosul, tells the story of a family who returned to their home in Mosul after the war. He is currently working on a new fiction documentary film entitled Take me to the cinema. 

THE RESIDENCY
Take Me to the Cinema follows the journey of the former soldier Nassif, who fled the war in Iraq by hiding in dark cinemas. During this time, he used to watch his favorite film called Papillon 1973. Presently, he is looking for this film among the Iraqi cinema’s ruins. The search for the lost movie is the sole purpose for Nassif to leave his room. He goes to the old and obsolete cinemas and asks cinema owners about the lost film. We come to discover Baghdad through Nassif’s eyes where he takes us to streets that contrast his silent and quiet world.  Today, the street of cinemas has been changed to a market that sells military uniforms. It is crowded with young men, fitting military shirts and shoes.