Beneath Which Rivers Flow

In the marshlands of southern Iraq, Ibrahim and his family live isolated from the rest of the world, deeply intertwined with the river, the reeds and the animals they tend. The quiet and withdrawn Ibrahim finds solace only in his buffalo, his one true companion. One morning, a dense fog blankets the marshes and Ibrahim senses an ominous shift in the land. The rivers begin to dry up, the earth cracks and the once flourishing landscape starts fading into a barren wasteland. As Ibrahim’s world collapses, he must confront forces beyond his control that threaten not only his way of life but also the one living creature he truly understands.
by Ali Yahya (Director, Screenplay), Mohammed Baz (Screenplay)
with Ibrahim Halim
Iraq 2025 Without dialogue 16' Colour & Black/White World premiere | Documentary form | Short Film recommendation: 14 years and up

With

  • Ibrahim Halim

Crew

Director Ali Yahya
Screenplay Mohammed Baz, Ali Yahya
Cinematography Ali Ameer
Editing Akram Sadoon
Music Khayam Allami
Sound Design Ahmed Raed, Munaf Mohammed
Producer Jafar Sadik

Produced by

Becorp Inc.

Ali Yahya

The Iraqi filmmaker uses film to explore the human experience, capturing the beauty and complexities of everyday life. Through his work, he brings the stories of his homeland to the world. He is also the creative director of Becorp, one of Iraq’s leading creative agencies. He lives and works in Baghdad.

Filmography

2025 Beneath Which Rivers Flow; short film

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2025