A part of the anthology of films ‘Iraqi Tales’, Ali and His Miracle Sheep is a story of the faith of millions of people in Iraq, but also a personal tale of a little boy. The film starts with a haunting lament by Ali’s grandmother. She addresses her dead son, telling him about the child (Ali) he has left behind, lonely and mute. The pain and worry in the grandmother’s voice are followed by Ali’s sketches that portray his innocence and hurt. In one of his drawings, he draws his father being gunned down by another man. In the other one, he sketches himself holding his sheep, leaving for the pilgrimage with his father and his elder brother. This image establishes the film’s narrative. 

Ali has been raised in a house and a country that rely heavily on faith, so when he sets off on the Imam Hussein pilgrimage of sacrifice with his elder brother, their grandmother prays for their protection and for their sheep. Ali hopes for the almighty to give him his father’s life back for the life of the sheep, but fate has its own plan. Ali’s 400-km journey, like many others, exposes him to a range of events throughout. The film depicts the power of faith to unite the human race in the face of adversity and suffering.

Director Maythem Ridha captures the chaotic atmosphere of the pilgrimage beautifully while not losing the focus on Ali and his inner turmoil. The viewer is taken among a sea of thousands and yet comes back to Ali and his sheep - hoping for their survival in the madness of the adult world. Ridha builds an extremely complex relationship between the viewer, Ali and the sheep. You are left rooting for both of them, feeling pity for the sheep to be sacrificed and sympathy for Ali to have his prayers answered. A well-shot film that shows the sad reality of our world caught between war and hope. 

Ridha has made a heartfelt documentary, dedicating it to their family members who, like thousands of others, have sacrificed their lives for a better future. A film that stays with you for a long time after it is over, just like the echo of Ali’s final scream. 

Written by Nikita Zankar