2008 Woodie Awards
ECU shows "Voices of Iraq" to students
Faten Husni Odeh
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: News
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The ECU Student Activities Board Films Committee showed the documentary "Voices of Iraq," a film that consisted of footage from various Iraqi civilians, in Hendrix Theater on Sept. 30.
150 cameras were dispersed into the hands of Iraqis to document the lives of the Iraqi people and opinion of the presence of U.S. troops.
The event began with an introduction of the documentary by the films committee chair, Jessica Bova, senior English major and films studies minor.
"We [the films committee], decided to do something that was political and I felt that we should do something with Iraq, a country we're familiar with but at the same time not," said Bova.
Shortly after the film ended, a discussion was held. Five panelists took seats on the stage to answer and discuss questions and comments about the film. Among the five were three members of the Arab Student Union, Claire Taweel, Nawfal Sultan, Nadia Shazly and two ECU professors, Jalil Roshandel, professor of political science and Anna Froula, professor of films studies.
"As an Iraqi person, I made my own point of view," said Sultan, an Iraqi student at ECU, about the film. "Some of the things seen in the film should be more organized and meet a variety of different people."
The concern that the film, "Voices of Iraq," did not present an entirely unfiltered view or objective was shared among many in the audience and panel.
"It seemed a little biased," said Claire Taweel, sophomore political science major and securities studies minor. "I feel they only portrayed a more pro-American view."
According to Roshandel, many of the perspectives were those of small children and the few adults in the documentary were either reserved or barely shown due to fear of voicing their opinions.
Sultan commented on Roshandel's point by stating that as an Iraqi, he would not be able to state his true views and opinions in Iraq.
"The fear of speaking freely will be with me until the day I die," Sultan said.
The event ended around 9:30 p.m. with a final thank you from members of the audience, panelists and Bova to people for expressing their viewpoints openly.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
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