P.O.V. {POINT OF VIEW}: MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY (TV)
Summary
One in this series of independently produced documentaries. This Oscar-nominated film examines war-savaged Iraq in the months leading up to the January 2005 elections, the first elections since the American occupation of the country. This program begins on election day, some two years after the United States invasion, as one Iraqi man, Dr. Riyadh, considers whether to vote and help preserve the newfound "fruits of democracy." Going back to July 2004 in Baghdad, the program introduces Riyadh, a doctor at Adhamiya Free Medical Clinic. As he goes about his day treating patients, American soldiers in "The Green Zone" -- a U.S. military compound -- begin planning security for "Joe Iraqi" on election day. Later, at the U.S. Embassy, Richard Armitage, U.S. assistant secretary of state, details the endeavor that will "change the face of the Middle East." Meanwhile, Riyadh and members of the Baghdad City Council visit the Abu Ghraib prison to attempt to catalog prisoners' complaints and problems. Also, Carlos Valenzuela of the U.N. Electoral Assistance Division, gives a briefing on the upcoming election, detailing how voter registration and candidate application will work. As Iraqi citizens discuss whether they will vote, the U.S. military Civil Affairs department prepares for dealing with potential Iraqi voters they encounter. Then, three months before the election, the U.S.-led Fallujah Offensive takes place, leading to numerous casualties on the streets. Afterward, demonstrators march to protest the violence and deaths in Fallujah, while at the Sunni political party headquarters, members discuss the catastrophic events and ponder voters' rights. Meanwhile, Valenzuela details the challenges his commission faces in getting the Iraqis to believe in the elections, amidst all the turmoil. Then, the violence and tension increases in Baghdad's Adhamiya district when several "ordinary" people are killed at a mosque. Riyadh speaks with the mosque's sheik, learning about the violent encounter earlier in the day. Later, a voter registration center utilizes Australian private contractors for security in transporting registration forms. Peter Towndrow, private security contractor, briefs his men on how they will encounter threats in the upcoming days in attempts to disrupt the election process. As explosive rockets fly around Baghdad, Riyadh goes about his life, leaving the house to see his patients. Meanwhile, Towndrow works on outfitting his men with protective equipment. A Kurdish militia, the "Peshmerga," assists America and its coalition in helping the elections run smoothly. Then, during U.S. military training, a briefing is held on the ongoing anti-American sentiment in Iraq. As Riyadh goes around town speaking with locals about the upcoming elections, many still wonder if they will actually take place. Six weeks before the elections, four election workers are dragged from their cars and executed. Later, a ballot lottery determines where each party's candidate will be placed on the ballot. Then, at an Iraqi Islamic Party election debate, Riyadh discusses the future of the occupation, having now decided to run for councilman. Later, the top Sunni party withdraws its candidates from the election, citing violence, which threatens to harm the legitimacy of the elections. Two weeks before the elections, at the election shipping hub in Dubai, security contractors go over the role they will play on election day, assuring that sensitive election materials are kept safe during transit. Then, during a U.N. press briefing, Valenzuela details the difference between the upcoming Iraqi elections and the fourteen other international elections in which he has participated. Meanwhile, Edward Wong of the New York Times visits Riyadh's hospital, wondering how the election is affecting his family. As the ballot convoy enters town, speculation runs rampant over what may occur on election day. Wong further questions Riyadh on whether his party will still be on the ballot a week later -- election day. One day before the elections, a relative of Riyadh faces turmoil when his son Yasir is kidnapped for ransom. Election morning, at polling centers, workers are briefed and voters frisked before the boxes are locked and voting begins. Meanwhile, Riyadh decides not to leave the house to vote, continuing to work the phones in an attempt to get Yasir back, but nevertheless urging his family to vote for his party. Afterward, Riyadh's family faces fear that the resistance will see their ink-stained index fingers, denoting that they voted, while U.S. President George W. Bush goes on television to call the election a "resounding success." One day later, with $6,350 in ransom money, Yasir is released. Finally, the Transitional National Assembly reads the election results, with Riyadh's party losing after getting a meager amount of votes.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: October 25, 2006 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:24:06
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:91462
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Iraq; War on Terrorism, 2001-;
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1988-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Sally Jo Fifer … Executive Producer
- Cara Mertes … Executive Producer
- John Woo … Senior Producer
- Laura Poitras … Producer, Director
- Jocelyn Glatzer … Producer
- Aliza Kaplan … Co-Producer
- Rosie Bsheer … Associate Producer
- Caitlin Shamberg … Associate Producer
- Ruiyan Xu … Associate Producer
- David Nanasi … Production (Misc.), Consulting Producer
- Chris White … Director
- Theresa Riley … Director
- Marc N. Weiss … Created by
- Al Sahir, Kadhum … Music by
- David Byrne … Theme Music by
- Riyadh al-Adhadh
- Yasir al-Adhadh
- Richard Armitage
- George W. Bush
- Peter Towndrow
- Carlos Valenzuela
- Edward Wong