Iraqi filmmaker Qais Al-Zubaidi honored for his cinematic legacy in Baghdad memorial

BAGHDAD — The Al-Mada Foundation for Culture and Arts held a memorial session on Friday in honor of Iraqi filmmaker Qais Al-Zubaidi, who passed away earlier this month. Experts highlighted his pioneering contributions to documentary cinema across the Arab world, particularly his works documenting the Palestinian conflict and projects in Syria, despite huge financial and logistical challenges. Al-Zubaidi was unable to continue his career in Iraq due to political repression in the 1970s.

Born in 1935 in Baghdad’s Adhamiya area, Al-Zubaidi passed away in Berlin following health complications. During the memorial, family members confirmed that arrangements have been made to transfer his body to Baghdad for burial with the help of Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani.

Al-Zubaidi’s filmography includes works such as “Al-Yazerli” (1974), “The Knife” (1972), “Love’s Other Face” (1973), “The Night” (1992), “The Adventure” (1974), “Men Under the Sun” (1970), and “Testimonies of Palestinian Children in Wartime” (1972).

In recognition of his contributions, the Palestinian Authority awarded him an honorary passport in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas.

Hadeel Qusay Al-Zubaidi, the late director’s niece, shared with 964media, “In honor of my uncle, Qais Al-Zubaidi, I am committed to preserving his cinematic legacy. I will coordinate with cultural institutions in Berlin to collect his books and works.”

She added, “At the recent Baghdad International Fair, I have reserved a hall and screen to showcase his films, highlighting his journey from departing Iraq to his final days.”

Filmmaker Hikmat Dawood reflected on Al-Zubaidi’s influence, “Talking about Qais Al-Zubaidi is talking about a friend. After facing political persecution and displacement under the former dictatorial regime, many of us turned to Palestinian resistance cinema. Qais studied cinema in East Germany alongside Faisal Al-Yasiri and later continued his work in Syria.”

Dawood emphasized Al-Zubaidi’s dedication to “national and resistance cinema”, avoiding commercial filmmaking despite challenges.  Al-Zubaidi’s film heavily focused on Palestine and the narratives of children affected by war.