Semiramis Cinema
Sadoun Street,
Baghdad
Sadoun Street,
Baghdad
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The Semiramis Cinema was one of central Baghdad’s largest cinemas, possibly one of its most luxurious when first opened in 1970. Seating is on three levels in orchestra and two balconies.
In mid-2006, with current daily bombings and killings occuring in the city, the cinema strugggled to keep open and played a mix of old movies (some from the USA) with occasional newer films from Egypt or other Arab countries.
Sadly, the Semiramis Cinema was closed on 1st August 2007.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
I wonder if the theocracy limited or censored the American films in the past. You would think nudity, alcohol use or obscenity would be verboten.
A photograph of the Semiramis Cinema by Joshua Partlow—The Washington Post:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/218023574/
I am glad to know that you did not travel to Iraq yourself.
I can’t imagine being a theatre owner under those circumstances. I think the operators get a lot of credit for attempting to stay open at least.
Here is the Washington Post article from August 2006:
http://tinyurl.com/3698rv
Not directly connected with this theater, but interesting in its own right, MGM had a subsidiary in El Nasr, Baghdad in 1970, according to the IMPA of that year. The subsidiary was called MGM Middle East, Inc.
Here is the July 13, 2007 USA Today article about its closing:
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