House of Saddam

For a moment, it's as though time stands still.

As the sun sets over the sea,

I can almost believe that this was truly Atlantis.

Who knows if Atlantis ever really existed?

Or if Santorini was even it?

But I do know that this is about as close as you can get to paradise on earth.

'Many Iraqis can hear me tonight in a translated broadcast

'and I have a message for them.'

The tyrant will soon be gone.

The day of your liberation is near.

'All the decades of deceit and cruelty have now reached an end.

'Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours.'

Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict

commenced at a time of our choosing.

'Events in Iraq have now reached the final days of decision.'

Where's Mama? Inside, she's packing. Why is she packing?

Mama, what are you doing? We can buy new glasses.

Make sure your mother and sisters have money.

Go, and make sure they listen.

'They must leave the country immediately.' Mustafa, the suitcases.

Hala, quickly.

'But we will not leave Iraq.'

We keep moving until the Americans are defeated. Yes, Papa. Now go.

Take care of your brother, Qusay.

I will.

Mama, they are not important. We have to go.

This programme contains some strong language and some violent scenes.

EXCITED CHATTERING

MUSIC PLAYS

INDISTINCT

Is that my little mouse?

HE LAUGHS

Are you enjoying your party? Saddam...

Ready when you are. Ah.

Let's go and find Mama.

I'll just be a moment, Barzan.

Mm?

This little mousey belongs to you.

Habibti.

What time will he come? Soon.

Mr Deputy. Mm.

Are they all here?

Yes, everyone's here.

Khomeini has a big mouth.

Mm.

SHOUTING ON TV

Thank you, Hamdani.

Heard enough? More than enough.

He is a thoughtless son of a bitch.

Bark, bark, bark, all day long - every day.

He is a dog with teeth, Ali.

Sharp teeth.

We can offer a hand of friendship but he will bite it off.

He wants his revolution to infect all of the Arab world.

Beginning with the Iraqi Shia.

Exactly.

He will become more and more dangerous by the day.

Comrades...

time is running out.

America hopes for a strong Iraq.

The Arab world demands it. The Iraqi people themselves deserve it.

To the revolution.

To the party.

To unity.

To a new Iraq.

To a new Iraq.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

I'll be out here.

Mama.

How is the lemonade?

It's too sweet.

Raghad.

Find Mohammed.

Ask him to join the party, he's shy. Yes.

She's becoming a woman.

She's still my baby.

She should marry Barzan's son, Mohammed.

It will bond the family closer still.

Mr Deputy, the President is about to arrive.

Mama, excuse me.

Mr President. Mr Deputy.

Sajida, you look beautiful.

You are too kind.

Thank you so much for coming, Mr President. Hala will be thrilled.

Not at all, thank you for inviting an old man

to a seventh birthday party.

It is an important occasion.

Please, please, everybody. Please, carry on.

Where is the birthday girl?

I can't see her. Here she is.

Where? Where? Here. Here.

All I see is a grown-up princess. Where is little Hala?

It's me, it's me!

Then this gift must be yours, princess. You're very kind.

What do we say to the President?

Thank you. You are very welcome, my child.

# Happy Birthday to you

# Happy Birthday to you

# Happy Birthday, dear Hala

# Happy Birthday to you. #

Make a wish, habibti, and your dreams will come true.

CHEERING

Let's leave the women and children to their games.

We have much to discuss, Mr President.

You must save me a piece of cake. Of course I will.

LAUGHTER

Mr President...

Please, sit down.

There is something I have to say.

I smell disquiet.

I am concerned about Khomeini

and the proposed union with Syria.

Khomeini continues to call on our people to join his revolution because he knows we are weak.

And this alliance with Syria will make us weaker still. Nonsense.

Two Arab people together will make a strong alliance.

Headed by the Syrian President.

Assad of Syria will be first and you will be second.

With Saddam Hussein third? HE LAUGHS

Is that your true objection?

I have no objection.

Why object to something that does not exist?

And will never exist.

I will not allow it.

You will not allow it, Mr Deputy?

I smell more than disquiet.

Comrade Bakr, it's over.

Stop. Say no more.

Saddam...

your time will come.

We are a team, you and me. Look at what we have accomplished.

Look at what you have accomplished.

Iraq has schools and hospitals and food for all of the people.

For the first time in our history,

their minds are developed and their bellies are full,

because of you and me.

Our country is just beginning to walk in the world.

This alliance, us, we will make Iraq stronger.

So...

do I get to eat my cake now?

It is over, comrade.

DOORS OPEN

They won't help you.

Either you resign voluntarily or through force.

Either way, you resign.

You have earned your retirement

and it is the wish of each of us

that you get to enjoy it.

Adnan Khairallah, you are my Defence Minister and an officer in my army.

Come and stand by my side and this...this will be forgotten.

Hamdani, we think alike you and me.

Stand by my side.

You will announce your retirement due to ill-health

and you will name your deputy as your successor.

The Command Council will never approve it.

You can remain in the Presidential Palace until matters are resolved.

Comrade.

Saddam Hussein al-Majid. My President.

Tariq Aziz.

My President.

Hamdani, my friend.

Mr President.

So, it's done.

You are to be President.

Now you will need your brothers more than ever. Yes, Mama.

And no-one must be allowed to do to you, what you have done to al-Bakr.

Don't worry, Mama.

I am making Barzan my head of security.

I'll protect him, Mama.

Let's put you to bed.

Good boy.

I feel like tomorrow, I will wake up in a land of...progress

and opportunity.

I have ideas to help build Iraq,

make it ready to take its rightful place in the world,

and not just the Arab world.

We have a lot of work to do.

Me and you.

And I will always be by your side.

Already I feel different.

You feel empowered. Yes.

And you like it?

HE LAUGHS Yes, very much.

THEY LAUGH

What's so funny? Hamdani likes power.

Yes.

What's wrong with that?

'It is my view that the man best qualified to assume the leadership'

is my esteemed deputy, Comrade Saddam Hussein.

Mr President, this is absurd!

Now is not the time to be stepping aside.

We are on the brink of a new era in Arab brotherhood.

Comrade Mashhadi, he has made up his mind.

We must respect his decision.

Mr President, what's going on here? What is happening?

Please comrade, please, I'm very tired.

Then we can only accept your recommendation by a unanimous vote.

Very well, we will have a vote in our next session.

The members of the council will need some time

for thoughts and reflection.

CLAPPING