Letters from Baghdad is the story of a true original—Gertrude Bell—sometimes called the “female” Lawrence of Arabia. Voiced and executive produced by Academy award winning actor Tilda Swinton, the film tells the dramatic story of this British spy, explorer and political powerhouse. Bell traveled widely in Arabia before being recruited by British military intelligence during WWI to help draw the borders of Iraq and shape the modern Middle East.

Interview with Director Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

We were stunned to read about Gertrude Bell, the most powerful woman of her day in the British Empire, and discover that no one had heard of her.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

To be inspired by a fearless woman who made history, to understand the history of the Middle East which has such incredible contemporary relevance, to appreciate the ancient sites and antiquities that Gertrude Bell helped preserve that have been destroyed during our time.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

We wanted to use the personal story of an extraordinary woman (who was at the center of decision-making) to shine a light on the tangled history of Iraq and the region. The story of our film reveals a past that is eerily current with parallels to present day that have been called “staggering”. We are also intrigued by the choices that trail-blazing women often have to make.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

We started out with a plan to produce a fiction film, but as we dived deeper into our research, we discovered that Gertrude Bell was a great subject for a documentary.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Fantastic feedback. We’ve had sold-out screenings in London and New York and the film won the Audience Award in Beirut. In addition, Gertrude Bell’s family loves the film and has been hugely supportive.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

We spent 4 years full-time working on the film, so there haven’t been any surprises, yet.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We’d love to reach a broader audience, particularly women

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Journalists who would be intrigued by Gertrude Bell and also distributors

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Our film is an important springboard for urgent discussions relating to acknowledging the contribution of women, tolerance and diversity, and a greater understanding of the peoples and culture of the Middle East. Watching the stunning archival footage of the Middle East, shot a century ago, of the vibrant street scenes in Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo and Teheran, will give the viewer a look into a vanished world and a startling look at a region that we only think we know.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Why was Gertrude Bell written out of history?

Would you like to add anything else?

This is the directorial debut of Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Directors Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum are developing a film about an important forgotten female artist, whose life holds many secrets.

Interview: November 2016

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Letters From Baghdad

Using stunning, never-seen-before footage of the region, the film chronicles her extraordinary journey into both the uncharted Arabian desert and the inner sanctum of British colonial power. What makes the film stand apart is that the story is told entirely in the words of Gertrude Bell and her contemporaries, excerpted from their intimate letters, private diaries and official documents. It is a unique look at both a remarkable woman and the tangled history of Iraq. The film takes us into a past that is eerily current.

Length: 95 minutes

Director: Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum

Producer: Zeva Oelbaum

About the writer, director and producer:

Co-director/Editor Sabine Krayenbühl is an award winning editor with over 20 theatrical documentaries and narrative features to her credit, including Oscar nominated My Architect, Mad Hot Ballroom, The Bridge, Virgin Tales and Kiss the Water.

Co-director/Producer Zeva Oelbaum is an award winning producer who recently produced Ahead of Time, a feature documentary about centenarian journalist Ruth Gruber, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before broadcasting on Showtime.

Key cast: Tilda Swinton, Rose Leslie, Andrew Havill, Rachel Stirling

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors):

Funders: National Endowment for the Humanities, New York Council on the Arts, private donations

Made in association with: YUZU productions (Paris) and Missing in Action Films, London

Release date: official release date will be 2017