Santa Claus in Baghdad

In impoverished Baghdad under Saddam's dictatorship, 16-year-old Amal hopes to regain her social status at school by volunteering to find a book as a class gift for the departing literature teacher. Meanwhile, her emotionally fragile little brother becomes obsessed with the notion that a visiting uncle from America--whom he confuses with Santa Claus--will bring him toys. Ashamed never to have been able to give his son a toy, the child's father sells some more prized family possessions and buys a model car for him.

• Release date
• August 9, 2008
• Runtime
• 39 min
• Director
• Raouf Zaki

Cast

T

Tamara Dhia Amal Nora Armani Amal's Mother Demosthenes Chrysan Amal's Father May Calamawy Hala (as May El Calamawy)

J

John Rahal Sarrouf Mr. Kareem

M

Miriam Habib Student 1

A

Alexandra Nader Student 2

A

Ameena Sais Rafeeka