The Iraqi film «Al-Basir» participated in the Cairo International Film Festival, marking its world premiere, in a cinematic experience that seeks to highlight the cultural, historical, and environmental heritage of Iraq's marshes, and to introduce the beauty of the southern regions and their cultural uniqueness.
Director Ali Tawfan Al-Fatlawi stated that the work was filmed in the city of Nasiriyah and the marsh areas in Dhi Qar province, aiming to present an image that reflects the nature of southern Iraq and its civilizational identity.
For his part, the film's star Ahmad Monica confirmed that the work sheds light on the dangers facing the marshes due to drought, and what this represents as a threat to a civilizational heritage that extends for thousands of years. Meanwhile, artists Hana Aris and Samia Al-Rahmani praised the humanitarian and cultural messages conveyed by the film, particularly the values of love, peace, and preserving Iraqi heritage.
The filmmakers aspire for «Al-Basir» to be a window for introducing Iraq's civilization and cultural diversity to the Arab and international audiences, and to contribute to raising awareness about the issue of the marshes and the necessity of protecting them from environmental challenges that threaten their existence.
Moreover, "the main character, a blind man living in the marsh environment, imposed special requirements in the costume design, alongside consideration of the story details and the human relationships that the work addresses."