Students from the Public Relations Department at the College of Media, University of Baghdad, have launched the reality-based film “When Air Becomes an Enemy,” a poignant human drama depicting the air pollution crisis in the heart of Baghdad. The film tells the story of a young man who struggles daily with the consequences of polluted air—an experience shared by thousands of residents facing the suffocating reality of environmental degradation.
The film, written and directed by Mustafa Mohammed, stars Mohammed Abdul Jabbar as Ahmed, the exhausted young man suffocated by smoke; Osama Abbas as his brother Ali; Zahraa Qusay as his sister Sarah; and Ruqaya Adnan as a pharmacist trying to offer hope amid the suffocating conditions.
The narrative follows Ahmed as he confronts the slow, silent threat of toxic emissions, alongside the increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases and the difficulty of accessing treatment. The film captures the daily suffering of Baghdadis due to pollution and issues an urgent humanitarian call for society and officials to take decisive action against this environmental catastrophe.
The production is based on recent environmental studies warning that Baghdad has reached alarming levels of air pollution, turning daily breathing into a life-threatening health crisis. Through its impactful storytelling, the film urges the adoption of sustainable environmental solutions to secure a healthier future for coming generations.
The project was produced under the supervision of Professor Dr. Mohammed Abdul Hassan, Professor Dr. Fatima Abdul Kazem, and Assistant Professor Dr. Zina Abdul Khaliq, all of whom emphasized the significance of utilizing art and media to raise environmental awareness and inspire societal change.
This cinematic initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages), Goal 11 (Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).
