WORLD PREMIERE AT TORONTO IFF FOR 'IN MY MOTHER'S ARMS' (10/08/2011)
Following the global success of Berlinarle-winning feature 'Son of Babylon', Variety's Middle Eastern filmmaker of the year, Mohamed Al-Daradji and Leeds based production company Human Film, premiere their highly anticipated documentary 'In My Mother's Arms' at the Toronto IFF this September. Co-directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji, 'In My Mother's Arms' marks his brother Atia Al-Daradji's directorial debut, premiering alongside them at Toronto are heavyweights of world cinema: Luc Besson and Fernando Meirelles. The selection represents a strong showing for Yorkshire at the some of the world's leading film festivals this season, with Kill List and Tyrannosaur also screening at Toronto IFF and Wuthering Heights' world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
'In My Mother's Arms', is the story of Husham, a man that works tirelessly to build the hopes, dreams and prospects of the 32 damaged children of war, under his care at his small two roomed, orphanage in Baghdad's most dangerous district. When the landlord gives Husham and the boys just two weeks to vacate, a desperate search ensues.
The filmmakers hope the film will encourage Iraq to address much needed child protection laws, as according to UNICEF's recent report there are more than 800,000 orphans living in the country today, with 1 in 3 children being abused in state run orphanages.
This year, for the first time in its history, the 36th Toronto IFF will open with the U2 documentary, which demonstrates the festival's commitment to the promotion of factual works. This development is testament to the rapidly expanding market into which 'In My Mother's Arms', screening as part of the festival's prestigious 'Real to Reel' factual programme, is about to emerge.
'In My Mother's Arms' will be the filmmaker's second project to receive the support of the Netherlands Film Fund coupled with Abu Dhabi's SANAD fund, Göteborg International Film Festival Fund and San Sebastian Cinema in Motion 6 Fund. The film is a co-production with Al-Jazeera English.
'In My Mother's Arms' is co-produced by Human Film (NL/UK) & Iraq Al-Rafidain established in 2005, with a goal to seek and explore individual creativity, producing films with a social conscience and impact.
