Set out today with hope for filming the court room appearance of
Saddam Hussein which takes place in Iraq tomorrow. Finally the
project I originally came here to set up in January 2004
looks set to happen; A behind the scenes documentary of the
trial of Saddam Hussein. At the same time I am filming the
final instalment of my film about 'the pianist' Samir Peter who
hopes to follow his dream and live in The States.
Today was fraught with phone calls trying to get through
to my contact, the President of the Iraqi Tribunal who has
approved the documentary. Finally I get through to him, he
tells me he is unsure whether he can get me into the court
room tomorrow where Saddam will appear in front of a judge,
shackled in chains. We hear that only 4 journalists will be
allowed in. I'm told to call back at 4 this afternoon but as
normal the Presidents phone is constantly engaged. I keep
trying as I write this now anxious as what happens tomorrow
would make a great opening for the film.
Amidst agonised attempts at calling the President I have been
filming ‘the pianist’ at his home. His daughter has been visiting from
The States but is now preparing to return home.
Samir is waiting for his papers to come through after being given a Green Card.
It is an agonising wait for him. He is torn about leaving his daughter
and son here in Iraq but hopes to get them to The States one
day soon. His anti-American daughter Saha, has always
resisted, a proud Iraqi she wanted to stay here, but seeing
her sister and hearing news of her mother also living in America
has made her reconsider things. She seems willing to give The States a go.
It is Samir's dream to gather his family there after years of struggling in
Iraq. “Things have to get worse here before they get better”
he insists, and he is getting on in life now, he wants to
spend his last few years in peace.
He is also concerned for his 25 year old son Fadi, also a talented pianist, but who now refuses to play, not wanting to end up like
his father playing in an empty hotel bar to earn money to get
by. Fadi wants money, but in a country where the only work
available is putting your life on the line as a policeman he
prefers to stay at home, although he'd heard of a Safeway's
supermarket opening and hopes to work there.
The house was tense today. Fadi wasn't talking with his
father or his American sister. his sister had insulted him by
insisting that he should not marry his Muslim girlfriend. He
should find a Christian girl instead. It is a sore point,
Samir doesn't mention it much, but is does disturb him. As a
Christian family they are a minority in Iraq and Fadi
would have to convert to Islam to marry his girlfriend. In
the end a good argument cleared the air and Samir slipped
Fadi $20. Then I spoke with his daughter about her mother,
and whether Samir would get back together with her when he goes
to the states. I put my foot in it though, Samir hadn't told the
kids that they had separated.... and I did. The daughter left the
scene in tears. I didn't know what to say. I hope Samir can
patch things up. Half of him hopes to get back with his wife
but the other half knows that their love is dead.
Now I must get back on the phone to try see Saddam tomorrow.
Sean 30 06 04
posted by mcallister at
7:12 PM
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