Iraqi Cultural Centre in London Launches Cinema Club with Acclaimed Iraqi Film
The Iraqi Cultural Centre in London (ICCL) has launched a new Cinema Club with the screening of The Mystery of Women, a feature film by Iraqi director Ali Hanoun. The event, held on Friday 22 August 2025, drew a strong turnout from the Iraqi community as well as friends and supporters of the centre.
The evening was hosted by filmmaker and actor Jamal Amin, who introduced the film and reflected on its artistic and historical importance, stressing the power of cinema to convey Iraqi culture to international audiences. Director Ali Hanoun also addressed the gathering in a recorded message, sharing insights into the production and the challenges of completing a two-hour-forty-minute feature under difficult circumstances.
Adapted from a novel by Abd al-Sattar al-Baydani, the film revisits a formative era in Iraq’s history under the feudal system, portraying the harsh realities of rural life while highlighting the community’s resilience in preserving traditions and values. At the heart of the narrative is the figure of the woman, depicted as a symbol of dignity and authenticity. The cast includes prominent Iraqi actors Alaa Hussein, Sami Qaftan, and Mazin Mohammed Mustafa.
The screening was met with enthusiastic praise from critics and audience members alike, who hailed the film as a significant contribution to documenting Iraq’s rural past. They also noted that its London premiere represents a meaningful step in the cultural centre’s mission to share Iraq’s heritage with the wider world.
Dr Abdul Hamid al-Sayegh, director of the Iraqi Cultural Centre in London, expressed his satisfaction at the launch of the Cinema Club. He emphasised that such initiatives strengthen cultural exchange and reaffirm the centre’s role as a bridge between Iraq and the international community. He confirmed that the centre will continue to expand its cultural and artistic programmes to raise the profile of Iraqi culture globally.
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