The Department of Cinema and Theater in the Iraqi Ministry of Culture announced the nomination of director Ahmad Yassin’s movie “Hanging Gardens” to compete for the “Oscar” award for the best international film at the 96th session of the most popular cinema award.

The department – in a statement earlier yesterday – recommended “for the activation of cinema houses and cinema arts movement, to bring them to the ranks of artistically and cinematographically advanced countries”.

He pointed out that the film received a production grant from the Ministry of Culture, won Arab and international festivals and won several awards.

The film, starring Jawad Al-Shukarji and Wissam Diya, first premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival, after which it traveled to prestigious festivals in Sweden, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and recently screened in Iraqi cinemas. Capital, Baghdad.

The film’s director, Ahmad Yassin, said on his Facebook page, “I am very honored and proud after the official announcement by the Department of Cinema and Theater, which indicates that our film (Hanging Garden) has been chosen to represent Iraq at the Oscars.” He added: “This journey is a struggle of love, a collaboration between exceptional talents and a testament to the power of storytelling. Our film will reflect the richness of Iraqi cinema and I hope it will resonate with a global audience. “

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences receives one nomination from each country to compete for the Best International Film Award, reserved for non-English-language films. The Academy Awards will be held on March 10, 2024.

Ahmed Yasin:

• “This work will represent an enrichment for Iraqi cinema and I hope it resonates with international audiences.”