Kilometre Zero -Amazon.com Exclusive-

Product Description Kilometre Zero (Amazon.com Exclusive) A story of ethnic conflict between Kurds and Iraqis in the context of the war between Iraq and Iran in the 1980s. The central story of the film is set at a time when Kurds were conscripted to serve in the Iraqi army, where they were brutally abused, as a despised minority in Saddam Hussein's military. Kilometre Zero pairs a Kurdish soldier, under orders to return the body of a dead soldier to his family, with an Iraqi taxi driver who will drive them cross-country to the dead soldier's home. Scenes between the men, in the close quarters of their truck, are interwoven with scenes of often comic incompetence of Iraqi soldiers and officers. "Heartbreaking and hilarious in equal measure, Saleem's powerful film, shot on location in Iraqi Kurdistan, is a poignant account of the Kurdish people's struggle for liberation and equality." –Ali Jaafar, BFI 50th London Film Festival Archives "A story of deep visions rendered with an ironic eye for the humor to be found even in adversity." –BBC Kilometre Zero is an official selection of the prestigious, award-winning Global Lens Collection presented by the Global Film Initiative. In Arabic, French, and Kurdish with English subtitles. Review Simple, spare and effective... striking, surreal humor. --Variety A story of deep divisions rendered with an ironic eye for the humor to be found even in adversity. --British Broadcasting Corporation Nakedly honest…frighteningly well-acted. --Sarasota Herald-Tribune About the Director Hiner Saleem was born in Acna, Iraqi Kurdistan, in 1954. He fled to Italy by way of Syria in 1971, to escape the oppression of Saddam Hussein, and has lived in Paris for the past ten years. He is a fervent advocate for the rights of the Kurdish people. Saleem was honored as Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the government of France in 2005. His films include 'Beyond Our Dreams' (2000), and 'Vodka Lemon' (2003) for which he won the Contro Corrente Grand Prize at the 2003 Venice Film Festival. 'Kilometre Zero' (2005) was selected for competition at the Festival Cannes 2005.