DECEMBER 2009

chaldean connection
Documentary explores Iraqi art and culture
BY WEAM NAMOU
From left:
Saad Mesi, Wisam Arabo,
Ala Alshakarchi and Adnan
Yousif make up the
new band Marhaba for
the Iraqi Tradition.
Iman, Hamid Dalo
and Salah Kulato are
interviewed by Darrel
Cumberbatch.
The positive aspects of life in Iraq
before the war is the focus of an
upcoming documentary from a
Toronto film crew.
The crew from Supreme Master TV
visited Detroit on October 24 to film the
founders and members of the Iraqi Artists
Association (IAA), including myself.
“We feature uplifting and meaningful
programs and love to show the beautiful
music, cultures and arts from various
countries in the world,” said crew member
Laura Park.
Supreme Master TV is an international
channel that broadcasts on 14 satellite
platforms, 22 IP TV and cable networks
worldwide as well as online. It airs a variety
of programs in more than 60 languages
and 40 language subtitles, including
Arabic. Camera crews in various cities
around the world arrange the interviews.
The documentary is still in progress and
no air date has yet been announced.
The filmmakers wanted to hear all
about the things that reflect the beautiful
Iraqi culture – economy, relationships,
music, arts, education, famous Iraqis and
famous places.
“We do not want to discuss the war,
controversial people or topics, or anything
that does not express the constructive
nature of Iraqis,” said crew member
Mona Pai.
The majority of the interviews were
held at the Chaldean Educational Center
of America, located adjacent to the Sacred
Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Detroit.
Darrel Cumberbatch, a man originally
from the Caribbean, was the interviewer.
“We believe in positive programming
for a peaceful world,” he said.
The crew spent more than seven hours
interviewing people from the community,
starting off with Fr. Jacob Yasso, who recounted
the rich history of Iraq and the
Chaldeans.
“The Chaldeans had a naturalist philosophy
– a natural observation of the
world,” said Fr. Yasso. “They played a role
in everything, from astrology to medicine.
They were also known to be magicians
and soothsayers.”
The crew’s focus then shifted to the
filmmakers and actors of the community,
including myself as the co-founder
and president of IAA. I’m working on a
film called Green Card Wedding, a comedy-drama,
with writer/producer/director
Lance Kawas, my former teacher at the
Motion Picture Institute of Michigan.
Kawas has written 33 film scripts – 19
of which have won awards – and is now
working on a film with Scott Rosenfelt,
producer of such hits as Home Alone and
Mystic Pizza, on The Violinist, which tells
the story of an Arab and Jewish man who
come together through music.
“That it’ll be the first Iraqi-American
film to reach Hollywood makes me want
to support it even more,” Kawa said of
Green Card Wedding.
Actors Sonia Diri, Iman, Salah Kulato
and Hamid Dali were also interviewed as
well as Adnan Namou, who is the creative
consultant for the film.
The film crew then focused on the
newly formed band, Marhaba for the Iraqi
Tradition, which is led by Ala Alshakarchi
and managed by Adnan Asmar.
Dressed in traditional Iraqi costumes, the
band performed live on stage for the Toronto
film crew.
The band consists of two instrument
players, Ala Alshakarchi (harp) and Saad
Mesi (dumbug) and two singers, Wisam
Arabo, an Iraqi pioneer singer; and Adnan
Yousif, who sings maqam. All have participated
in concerts with such legends as
Kathem Al Sahir and Fouad Salem. They
started performing live at Marhaba Restaurant
in Farmington Hills in November
‘We feature uplifting and
meaningful programs and love
to show the beautiful music, cultures
and arts from various countries
in the world.’ – LAURA PARK
and will continue to do so every Saturday
in a family-friendly atmosphere.
“This band is a link between the
Iraqi culture from Iraq to the one here in
America,” said Asmar. “We’re now training
in order to do tours.”
The Toronto film crew also visited
the home of Haydar Al Yasiri to view his
art work and speak to Salam Jamil, a ceramic
sculpture. “Both do extraordinary
work and show an incredible passion for
their art,” Cumberbatch said of the men.
“Indeed,” he added, “Detroit is blessed
with wonderful talent and people.”
40 CHALDEAN NEWS DECEMBER 2009
cn1209_0148.indd 40
11/25/09 5:05:56 PM