Kassem Hawal

Born Jun 1, 1940 · Baghdad, Iraq

The film director Qasim was born in the city of Basra in southern Iraq in the year 1940. He started in the theater and worked in journalism, television, radio, and theater. In 1966, he founded, along with some friends, the foundation "Afalam AlYawm," which produced the film "Al-Haris," for which he wrote the story and played the role of Qasim himself. The film was directed by the renowned artist Khalil Shouk. In 1970, he joined the ranks of the Palestinian resistance in Beirut, establishing a film unit and directing several films, including "Al-Nahr Al-Barid," "Bayyutna Al-Sagheera," "Limaathana Hamal Al-Silaah," and "Lan Tuskit Al-Banadiq." In 1976, he returned to Iraq and directed his documentary film "Al-Ahwar," followed by his first narrative film, "Bayut Fil Dhalik Al-Zakaq." He then left Iraq to live in exile.