Iraq in fragments : Part two

Part two of the documentary focused on the movement to enforce the Shiite majority and in turn, employing religious foundations into the countries political power. The director of the documentary, Longley, and his interpreter manage to gain access to several of the political rallies, meeting between Shiite leaders, as well as religious ceremonies and a violent raid on a market to out turn alcohol vendors. In particular, I thought the raid on the market was especially captivating in this section of the documentary. The scene included clear images of shots being fired, people being beaten and then taken into their custody, as well as the beating of individuals who were just suspected of selling alcohol, with no clear proof. It was especially disheartening to see the men who were suspected of selling alcohol blindfolded and held captive, as if they were animals, and their pleas meant nothing to the Shiite holders. The scene in which the wife of one of the suspected vendors came to the prison begging for his release was very emotional. She claimed that he had nothing to do with the alcohol vending, and that these leaders were no better then Saddam in taking in people without evidence of crime. Again, Saddam was mentioned in the hospital scene where a man wounded in the market raid began screaming about democracy. It is clear that Saddam's regime and rule is an extremely sensitive and painful reminder of the past to the people of Iraq, and anything that takes place that reminds them of those days evokes a serious emotional response. I was also very captivated by the imagery that was provided in this film. Especially in the segment on the Shiites, Longley was able to capture intense views that in some cases could have posed for endangerment to his own life. Such documentation is rare, but very interesting to see.