The Lions by the River Tigris

• Date:
• Time: Time depends on the date
• Location: Filmhuis Den Haag

In Mosul, an Iraqi city devastated during the battle to liberate it from Islamic State, the struggle to heal is not over yet and hard work is underway to rebuild the city's identity, culture and art. Three men refuse to leave Mosul in ruins. Bashar, a fisherman, embarks on the impossible challenge of rebuilding his family's home. Fakhri, a passionate collector, saves remnants of the city's past in his own unique way, determined to preserve its history. His good friend Fadel, a musician who was once silenced by ISIS, now inspires a new generation to choose art over extremism.

As Bashar, Fakhri and Fadel try to breathe new life into the city with recognisable humanity, we witness a cultural revival in Mosul – women reclaiming public spaces, theatres reopening, music schools emerging, centuries-old heritage being restored. Can the 8,000-year-old city regain its soul?

'A moving account from the ruins of ancient Mosul' - Trouw (★★★★)

'You really want to know more about, or see more of, Fakhri, Fadel and Bashar' - de Volkskrant (★★★)

Show on map