Ali and His Miracle Sheep

Year
2021
Country
Iraq, UK
Duration:
27 mins

Overview

After his father is killed by ISIS, traumatized 9-year-old Ali stops speaking. He tells his grandmother he will feel better if allowed to take part in an annual 400-kilometer walk to Karbala, a mourning pilgrimage to sacrifice his sheep, Kirmenta, for his father’s soul. As Ali and his brother walk the desert road with thousands of other pilgrims, the sheep becomes sick — and stubborn. The boys try coaxing, carrying and eventually pushing the sheep in a wheelchair. The film is a haunting, lyrical look at a nation destroyed by war and broken promises, asking if miracles are still possible.


Colorado Premiere

Production Team

Director
Maythem Ridha

Film Contact

Festival Screenings

Featured in the 2022 Mountainfilm Festival.

Take Action

Do you feel inspired, amazed and moved to act?

If you would like to learn more or to take action, please follow these links to see what our partner organizations are doing.

Let's help create a better world.

2 Rivers East

Founded in 2003 within days of the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, 2rivers East is an award-winning nonprofit production and training organization. We work across film, television and online with an emphasis on international collaboration between MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and the rest of the world. We train young filmmakers and storytellers from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. We bring their skillset up to international standards, offer them mentoring and work placements and empower them to tell their own stories to global audiences.

Learn More about 2 Rivers East