Semiramis Cinema

Sadoun Street,
Baghdad

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Styles: Streamline Moderne

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Semiramis Cinema

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

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on August 16, 2006 at 7:27 pm

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.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on August 17, 2006 at 4:48 pm

A photograph of the Semiramis Cinema by Joshua Partlow—The Washington Post:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/218023574/

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on August 20, 2006 at 8:36 am

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.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 13, 2007 at 10:36 am

Here is the Washington Post article from August 2006:
http://tinyurl.com/3698rv

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 26, 2007 at 10:04 pm

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.

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on December 25, 2008 at 10:10 am

Here is the July 13, 2007 USA Today article about its closing:
View link

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