by Halkawt Mustafa
English
German
“For some, he is a dictator. I lived with him for 235 days. To me, he is a friend.” HIDING SADDAM HUSSEIN tells the story of Alaa Namiq, a farmer who hid the former president of Iraq and convicted war criminal Saddam Hussein during his pursuit. The documentary is made up of re-enacted scenes and archive material. It sheds light on moral questions of guilt and expiation with great depth and narrative charm. The film’s director, who himself had to flee from Hussein’s regime, delivers a thrilling and extraordinary debut that leaves a lasting impression. 'How did Saddam Hussein manage to remain undetected for so long despite a 25 million dollar bounty? A true story about secrecy, loyalty and the surprisingly human side of a dictator.' – Daniela Engler
The Norwegian film director Halkawt Mustafa was born and raised in Kurdish Iraq up to the year 2000 when he and his family fled to Norway. He completed his degree at the Nordic Institute of Stage and Studio. His debut film RED HEART was showcased at numerous international festivals and won multiple awards. HIDING SADDAM HUSSEIN (2023) / EL CLASICO (2015) / RED HEART (2011)
