Inside Iraq: The Untold Stories (2004) User Reviews

Interesting "everyman" perspective

[oskifan · 10/10 · 15 July 2006]

Mike Shiley, a creator of travel films and traveling lecturer, was sitting on the couch watching the news one day when his curiosity was piqued as to whether we were getting the straight scoop on Iraq via the mainstream media. Shiley decided to find out for himself by creating a fake press pass at Kinkos, renting a flack jacket and cashing in his frequent flier miles. He entered Iraq and documented the many people he met there and their attitude toward the U.S. led war to topple Saddam. This was in December 2003 when insurgent attacks were less frequent and Shiley therefore was not confined to the Green Zone, as many journalists are today.

This film is an excellent look into a country that few Americans know anything about. It is a chance to see some of the impact our nation's actions have had on that country. The footage was taken before the insurgents were targeting American troops and kidnapping foreign nationals at the rate they are today. Perhaps if Shiley were to interview those people today, they might have a slightly different feeling for America's involvement in their country. However, this is an excellent look into various sectors of Iraqi life in several different regions. It puts a human face on a conflict that is seldom seen up close by Americans. For that reason, everyone should see this film. In addition, Shiley takes neither a pro-war nor an anti-war stance, which makes this film particularly interesting.

I am also looking forward to Mike Shiley's next film, Dark Water Rising: The Truth About Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescues. Shiley and a film crew went to New Orleans after the hurricanes to document the work of animal rescuers there, racing against time to save as many animals as they could. I just watched the trailer at www.dark water rising.com (no spaces). It looks even better than Inside Iraq, if that's possible.

Every person in the world should see this movie!

[stetty_love · 10/10 · 11 July 2006]

For a one man show, Mike Shiley has put to the silver screen / multimedia a candid view of the real situation on the ground in Iraq as of Christmas 2003.

What ever posture one might have on the war in Iraq the realities for the people of Iraq remain grim. Despite the absolute despotism inflicted on the country the people in the street remain optimistic and believe that the world will see what is really going on in their country.

Mike Shiley briefly interviewed an articulate English speaking Iraqi woman while on the street. She holds the mic and proclaims, "I want to send a message to the world, yes to the world, especially the United States. We are now suffering too much ..... We are destroyed." Inside Iraq is as unbiased as a camera can be. Mr. Shiley states in his own account that the military operations have left the country with less power than before the war started, and his account is as of late 2003.

Things have not been fixed to this day and the devastation of the War Torn region is taking its toll on the population while the U.S. is establishing a permanent presence in the country complete with Military bases, new embassies and of course complete control over the oil fields via Haliburton. Mike has come out with another film entitled, "Dark Water Rising" about the damage to the gulf states from hurricane Katrina and documents on film the rescue work of the Humane Society in the aftermath of the storm.

The film documents "Military Porn" digital photos, and video via flash drive from a helicopter gunship picking off people on the ground at night. This footage aired on ABC and people go right back to their dinner and TV.

Purchase and watch "Inside Iraq; The Untold Stories" and tell others of this film. This is a documentary film and will not entertain you.

Very misleading

[rozgar-59205 · 1/10 · 28 May 2019]

I find it very misleading this documentary ! As an Iraqi I can say that 1.The literate rates is very low in Iraq and the majority of Iraqis know how to read and write . 2. Iraqi people are educated people unlike most of the ones shown in this video. 3. There is a lot of nice and clean places but this documentary only focuses on the dirty and messy side of the country. 4. American army committed endless counts of crimes again civilians and innocent people but there none of this show here. 5. They are telling Iraqi recruits that torture is illegal yet there is endless proofs and recording of American soldiers torturing Iraq prisoners. 6. American army never had any respect for the country or its people that's the truth.

Naive but interesting piece of work.

[Tcarts76 · 4/10 · 3 January 2016]

I won't complain too much about this one because it is what it is, and to some degree it explains why our country , right now (2015) is hurting today. We have become a country of know it alls who are actually really naive to the rest of the world and Mike Shiley's journey proved it. I think he has valid points of view and I do commend him for going out there when many in our own media will not, so kudos there.

I give a 4 because it is straight forward and isn't a big slick operation. Mike Shiley's feelings are pretty much made known throughout but at least he had one torture victim and told a little about the Kurds. Much of what he shows though is a fairly naive kid who had zero idea what happens in war, and this film way to fa above the surface to really show any understanding. He doesn't understand the military, he doesn't understand warfare, and he doesn't understand how wars are fought. I believe he suffers from movie ideas of war, and what war is. The sort of world war II front battle line wars with John Waynes and throngs of happy people welcoming soldiers with flowers, and no civilians get hurt or killed. no buildings are demolished and it's cut and dry, nice and clean, good guy on bad guy. In reality it is far different from that and by the time this documentary is over, had been finally edited, etc, etc, you still get the feeling he is still very naive.