"Sara" (played by Darina Al Joundi) shares her life with her young daughter, "Reema" (Zainab Joda), in Baghdad during 2006. It was a difficult time; the city was essentially a war zone. Following Saddam Hussein's removal by Allied forces, disorder reigned. The tensions between Sunni and Shia groups, along with local crime bosses, created an atmosphere harsher than anything you might imagine. "Sara" seemed to have accepted this reality until her friend "Sabiha" (Badia Obaid), who is Christian, was forced to leave their neighborhood; that event appeared to spark something within her. She rediscovered some of her drive and decided to write again. The question becomes whether she can maintain this renewed passion as explosions draw nearer to their home, or if leaving the only place they’ve ever known might be a better option. "Sara's" story is just one part of what unfolds here, offering a broader look at how an ordinary city tries to function amidst circumstances that would challenge anyone. We see a cross-section of people – young and old, devout and less so – all attempting to adjust to this new, mostly lawless situation. Director Maysoon Pachachi emphasizes the importance of dignity for these people, and their determination not to lose it. This is a community wanting to prosper, move forward, and support one another despite the ongoing violence. The film effectively conveys the danger they face through strong visuals, and the characters are portrayed as both resilient and fragile, particularly young "Reema." A boatman on the Tigris River appears in a role reminiscent of Shakespeare, offering connections throughout the story without being a major character himself. It’s a deliberately paced film; don't anticipate rapid developments or easy answers. Instead, it presents an account of how people bravely and stubbornly confront constant hardship, something they truly deserve to be spared from.

Source on TMDB