BAGHDAD IN MY SHADOW

London, just before Christmas. Taufiq (55), Iraqi poet and night-watchman, is battling with his conscience: back in Iraq he betrayed his own brother under torture. Unaware of this, his nephew Nasseer (20) embraced Taufiq’s fatherly guidance whilst growing up. Of late however, Nasseer and Taufiq have become estranged as Nasseer turns to radical Islam: Salafist preacher and hatemonger Yasin (40) and his followers seem to have a hold on Nasseer. Taufiq is shocked – the old communist disapproves of Islamic fundamentalism.

Taufiq turns to his friends at ‘Café Abu Nawas’ for advice. It is here that Taufiq gives poetry readings and reminisces with his communist friends about bygone ideals.

Working at the café is Taufiq’s close friend Amal (35), an ambitious architecture graduate from Baghdad who falsely claimed asylum in England as a persecuted Christian. In reality she was fleeing her violent husband Ahmed (45), who she discovered had been working for Saddam Hussein’s secret service. When Amal’s ex-husband suddenly turns up in London Amal finds her life is in danger.

Muhanad (25) too seeks refuge in the café. The computer scientist only recently left Baghdad to escape the threat posed to homosexuals in Iraq, to claim asylum in London. Taufiq and his friends help him out by supplying him with small IT jobs. Muhanad continues all the while to hide his homosexuality and his German lover Sven (30) from his café friends.

Taufiq tries to win back his nephew’s trust. He offers to teach Nasseer written Arabic and even accompanies him to the Salafist mosque. But Taufiq and Yasin don’t see eye to eye. The ‘godless’ at Café Abu Nawas are a thorn in the preacher’s side. Nasseer is under pressure to choose between two paths.

In the end it is Ahmed who manages to lure Nasseer into a commitment. Together with Yasin he incites the salafists to carry out an attack on the café, ‘home to homosexuals and the godless’. He thereby gives Nasseer the special mission to murder his ex-wife Amal, punishing her for adultery.

Taufiq alone can prevent the impending catastrophe…

Although, not produced by Kreo Films group, Compton Ross, CEO of Kreo Films Corporation and Phil Hunt of Head Gear Films FN were actively involved in the production of this film in their roles as Executive Producers. It was made in association with Head Gear Films FN.