The American public watched as Iraq began moving towards its January 2005 elections through news programs and footage shot without a real human perspective. It was a neutral view of the conflict at the time. This was the media reporting the news and nothing more.
“My Country, My Country” tells the story of the months leading up to the election from the point of view of Dr. Riyadh, a doctor with a free clinic, a family man and a politician running for office in the first democratic vote. He sees the turmoil of his country and reflects on the ever-growing problems of American occupation.
Documentary director Laura Poitras embedded herself with Riyadh’s family for eight months, following his every move, capturing private conversations ranging from the doubt of the elections to interviews by other news media and quiet moments with his family.
Besides the point of view of Iraq citizens, there are scenes involving planning sessions by military stationed in Iraq. They are prepping for possible insurgency and for polling itself. Poitras and her cameras get an inside look at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison as Riyadh and his party interview prisoners, including a 9-year-old boy being held for having a weapon.
Footage of the momentous day is stunning, as aerial views show lines of people standing in a queue to stick their fingers in a pot of ink to vote. The saddest thing about this day, however, comes from the star of the movie, Riyadh. His party decides to abstain from voting even though they are on the ballot. Riyadh sends his family out to vote for his party as he stays home.
The scene when the family returns is admirable and controversial. Riyadh’s daughters talk about how they voted for their father, even though they knew he was going to lose. They stare at their purple colored index fingers in awe and distaste. Riyadh’s wife talks about how she hid her finger after she left the polling site because her voting finger would just invite someone to kill her. This family shows how the people finally got a voice in the government, yet the stain left behind was unsettling.
By far the most heart-wrenching scene goes to another physician associated with Riyadh. It’s a first hand account of abduction and what must be done to get a family member back. This man thought that four masked men just wanted his car, but instead they took his son. He sits in Riyadh’s living room and tries to negotiate via cell phone, but the captors don’t get the message. The man’s sheer terror over the possible loss of his son is hard to watch, although reactions from the rest of the people in the room makes it seem like this is a normal part of their lives now.
“My Country, My Country” has a tone that settles on somber, yet educational and touching. The songs which play throughout the movie mournfully asks what happened to this country and where will it go in the future. Kadhum Al Sahir’s “Oh My Country” speaks of unification of Iraq under God and begs for the wounds of the country to heal.
This is a side of the Iraqi people, sitting in a war zone, rarely seen in America. It’s a natural view, where families hold discussions, men go to work and the television is on. The Riyadh family believes in both the positive and negative parts of their country -- a hope that things will finally change as Sadaam is no longer in charge and the feeling that all is lost, the country cannot survive.
In an hour and a half, Poitras’ “My Country, My Country” conveys a true and sometimes shocking story that should open the eyes of anyone that sits down and watches. The same discussions being held on American soil of the reasons for the war and occupation were happening simultaneously in Iraq. Poitras puts a face, that has a story, to this conflict.
Originally from Des Plaines, Ill., Heather moved to Milwaukee to earn a B.A. in journalism from Marquette University. With a tongue-twisting last name like Leszczewicz, it's best to go into a career where people don't need to say your name often.
However, she's still sticking to some of her Illinoisan ways (she won't reform when it comes to things like pop, water fountain or ATM), though she's grown to enjoy her time in the Brew City.
Although her journalism career is still budding, Heather has had the chance for some once-in-a-lifetime interviews with celebrities like actor Vince Vaughn and actress Charlize Theron, director Cameron Crowe and singers Ben Kweller and Isaac Hanson of '90s brother boy band Hanson.
Heather's a self-proclaimed workaholic but loves her entertainment. She's a real television and movie fanatic, book nerd, music junkie, coffee addict and pop culture aficionado.
