Riad Shahid

A border village during the Iran-Iraq war experiences the evils of war from the viewpoint of a young man who reflects on the fate that befell his village in this grinding war. The reality of war is reflected by the villagers who try to lead a normal life despite all the hardships they are facing.

Ibrahim finds himself under intense nervous pressure as he seeks revenge for his father's murder by one of the sons of his village in a brawl that occurred between them. At the same time, a love relationship arises between him and the girl Ward, so he tries to persuade his family to forgive and distance themselves from bloodshed. On the other hand, Ibrahim tries to monitor what is happening in his work, dealing with theft and looting, attempting to rectify the situation in various ways.

Fatima is a rural woman left behind when both her husband and brother depart to fight in the war. Alone, she carries the weight of survival, caring for her elderly father and young son, tending the land and livestock, and traveling long distances to bring water home. Amid the grind of daily hardship, longing consumes her. A horse once ridden and cherished by her husband becomes her sole emotional bridge to the absent men, embodying memory, hope, and endurance. Through it, she waits endlessly for their letters, clinging to reassurance that they are still alive.

The film was not permitted to be screened, similar to another Iraqi film, Hafr al-Batin. Some said the ban was because the film did not appeal to President Saddam Hussein, while others argued it was due to the film’s criticism of the dictatorial regime. The former explanation is considered more likely.

The story revolves around Iraqi army men who, following a historic struggle with the occupying forces, were buried alive in their shelters in the Hafar al-Batin border area by huge bulldozers. Filming began in the spring of 2000, with the city of Habbaniyah selected as the primary shooting location. The film is considered the first Iraqi feature to address the Second Gulf War and involved Iraqi actors alongside Iraqi military units. Approximately 50 actors and 200 military personnel participated in the production. It is believed that the film’s original title was The Longest Day in History before settling on its final name. The film was not permitted to be screened, similar to another Iraqi film, The Countdown. It was reportedly banned because it did not meet the approval of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.