"Media people without the human side are more like a recorder that you play or off, whenever you want. In other words, deprived of kindness, their role is meaningless," said Mortada Al Mousawy during his interview with SEE, after his documentary Mariam was screened for the first time on the Egyptian soil.
Al Mousawy was an Iraqi soldier, then he became a war correspondent. During the war against ISIS, he recorded numerous heartbreaking stories. Out of this treasure, he picked up the anecdote of Mariam's family and made his first documentary.
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Photos' Courtesy of Mortada Al Mousawy[/caption]
To know more about the film's circumstances and utilizing Al Mousawy's presence in Egypt, SEE interviewed him. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
How did you enter the documentaries' world?
I started as a war correspondent who lived numerous stories with the Iraqi security forces and civilians. During the war, we were providing the Iraqi TV and Radio, also other channels with photo-reports. I was aware that these reports had a temporary benefit.
On the other side, I believe that the influence of documentaries lasts forever. A vivid example is World War I and World War 2's documentaries that serve as an important archive till nowadays.
I saw that our four-year war against the ISIS had to be documented in an easy way. Although my memory was serving me, what came out in my favor that the stories I experienced were video and audio recorded.
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Mortada Al Mousawy Started as a Soldier [/caption]
Afterward, one of my friends suggested, "Why don't you write stories out of this recorded material?" So I started watching my recorded videos while inking anecdotes. Having the anecdotes noted down and documented, we were ready.
Why did you choose the anecdote of Mariam as your first documentary?
If anybody contemplates this story, he would feel that its theme is more like an exaggerated imagination. When I told my friends about this anecdote, they did not believe me. So, I showed them the video and they replied, "This valuable work must come to light."
Could you tell us about the film's ambiance?
This documentary holds a special space in my heart. We did not plan for anything and the film's incident came by chance.
That day, as we were used to working, we accompanied the Iraqi Forces at Mosul's left side, to make a report about their fight against ISIS. When we came across, we found a whole family laying under the rubble, we were shocked. Nawal, the only family member who survived the tragedy, was on the street when she resorted to us.
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"Mariam's Documentary Holds a Special Place in my Heart," Says Mortada Al Mousawy [/caption]
As the forces were concerned about our safety, they warned us. Even though, I could not turn Nawal's request down. I felt responsible for rescuing the family, even if the matter would have cost my life. So, our journey inside the collapsed house began. That moment, we turned from reporters to a rescue team.
Could you brief us about what happened inside the house?
Spaces were very narrow. We first found Mariam and the mother, both directed us to Baraa. While we were in the line of duty, the soldiers alerted, "You have to leave the place or hurry up, ISIS fighters started getting closer." I recalled Nawal's behaviorism, so I insisted, "Either we save the family, or die with them right here.
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Out of Numerous Stories, Mortada Al Mousawy Picked the Anecdote of Mariam's Family [/caption]
We kept on digging until we found Baraa's hair, then we managed to pull her out. The second phase was securing Mariam, the mother, and the father. Our mission was successfully completed. We spent two hours indoors.
Did anyone among the crew suffer injury?
When we came out of the imploded building, the ISIS's fighters went on throwing hand grenades in our direction. Our college Hamza Al Aboudy's forehead was injured. We are used to injuries. We then treated him and continued to Al Hamdanyya Hospital.
Were there any martyrs?
When the fighters attacked, the family's son Mosaab was in the room located at the end of the house. So, he passed away.
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Photo Credit: Mortada Al Mousawy [/caption]
How did the touching documentary end up?
After we reached the hospital and the situation calmed down, we left our contact details to the family. 20 or 25-day after, the father called us. We were invited at a pied-à-terre that was prepared for the family by their relatives in Mosul.
Why is the documentary titled Mariam?
Because when we stepped into the house, the first voice we heard was that of Mariam, asking us in the Iraqi dialect for help.
Where was the film screened?
It was shown at many festivals and in 45 countries including the USA, Belgium, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. Unfortunately, it was never shown in an Arab country.
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Mortada Al Mousawy with the Embassy's Stuff and the Ambassador Ahmed Naif Al Dulaimi [/caption]
I would like it to reach the maximum viewers across the Arab world. In cooperation with the Iraqi Embassy, headed by the Ambassador and the representative in the Arab League Ahmed Naif Al Dulaimi, we started realizing our dream in Egypt.
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