Director: Usama Alshaibi

Starring: Usama Alshaibi, Kristie Alshaibi

Year: 2006

Runtime: 76 mins.

Synopsis: In Nice Bombs, filmmaker Usama Alshaibi returns to Baghdad to reunite with his family after nearly 24 years. This documentary navigates through his unique relationship to an Iraq that is much different than the country of his childhood. Usama captures the conflicting reactions to the conditions of life in Baghdad. Through a wide range of opinions and experiences he provides a broad panorama of voices long neglected under Saddam’s regime. His cousin Tareef enters the room upon hearing an explosion. “It’s a bomb. A Nice Bomb,” he explains. The phrase is indicative of his family’s nonchalance about their situation. As one young boy put it, “We’re Iraqis. It’s normal.” With humor and resilience Nice Bombs explores Usama’s dual role as both Iraqi and American. (from official site)

DVD: Released by Cinema Obscura

Official Website: Nice Bombs

Reviews: Variety (Ronnie Scheib)
Pop Matters (Cynthia Fuchs)
Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)
Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips)

Awards: Best Documentary, Chicago Underground Film Festival 2006

Video: Trailer