ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced the selection of the 1956 film “Said Effendi” to be featured in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival’s classic section. The film, a landmark of Iraqi cinema, was directed by renowned Kurdish filmmaker and screenwriter Kameran Hosni.
A Saturday statement from the prime minister’s office noted that the al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham Committee for Iraqi Visual Memory, operating under Sudani’s office, declares the film’s participation at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
“This historic selection - the first of its kind for Iraqi cinema - is the result of the Iraqi Cinematheque project, which seeks to revive Iraq’s cinematic heritage and share it with the world,” the statement added.
“Said Effendi” is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Iraq’s film history. Set in 1950s Baghdad, the social drama follows a humble and principled schoolteacher who, after moving to a new neighborhood with his family, encounters tensions and misunderstandings with his neighbors. The film explores themes of class, coexistence, and changing societal values in a rapidly modernizing Iraq.
The film’s inclusion in Cannes was made possible after its restoration by the French National Audiovisual Institute, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Iraq and the Cinémathèque Iraq project - a national initiative focused on digitizing, restoring, and preserving Iraqi cinema.
“Said Effendi is one of 104 Iraqi feature films, produced between the 1940s and early 2000s, that the Iraqi Cinematheque project aims to preserve and restore,” the statement noted.
According to Hassan al-Sudani, an advisor to the Iraqi premier, the Baghdad government plans to expand the initiative beyond cinema to include restoration of Iraq’s television and radio archives in upcoming projects.
The Cannes Film Festival, held annually in Cannes, France, is one of the most prestigious and globally recognized film festivals. Established in 1946, it celebrates international cinema by showcasing a diverse selection of films from around the world. The festival typically takes place in May and features several sections, including the main competition - where the coveted Palme d’Or, Golden Palm, is awarded to the best film.
This year's 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is expected to take place from May 13 to May 24.
