dive into the daily lives of Iraqis, both in times of peace and war, through the animated documentary, ‘Iraq Perfume.’ The film utilizes animation to vividly portray Iraqi civilization, focusing on the experiences of the Fuerat Alani family, according to its director Léonard Cohen.

Cohen explains the choice of animation, stating: “There were a lot of the order of sensation, smells, looks, smiles, what we will hear. The animation has fantastic that the field of possibilities is infinite. The graphic representation can be very symbolic, dreamlike, allegorical, metaphorical. Animation seemed to be the ideal medium to tell this story“.

Animation as a Medium for Sensory Storytelling

“I liked the spectator to invest and be able to project into these faces what he wants to see there.”

Léonard Cohen employs a refined, almost abstract visual style, encouraging viewers to actively engage their imaginations and form their own interpretations of Iraq and the Alani family. Cohen notes, “I liked the spectator to invest and be able to project into these faces what he wants to see there Or what he thinks he sees it. Obviously, all this accompanied by many other clues such as contrasts, staging, colors, sound, music. What is called in the “motion design” jargon, that is to say the design of movement, shapes and colors, transformations, make it possible to bring the subject In a sensory register“.

The film ‘Iraq perfume‘ is available for viewing online.