tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:33:56 +0000I am an Iraqi born, US raised filmmaker. I started this blog to document my trip back to Iraq, with my Father, after being away for over 20 years. Part of this project will be a documentary video that I will be producing with my wife. <br> <br> My wife and I both wrote in this blog during our Iraqi trip between January 29 and February 13th, 2004. <br> ++++http://www.nicebombs.com/blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)Blogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-3686193949977697440Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:33:00 +00002010-03-08T16:33:57.004-06:00 This blog is now located at http://nicebombs.blogspot.com/. You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here. For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to http://nicebombs.blogspot.com/atom.xml. http://www.nicebombs.com/2010/03/this-blog-has-moved.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-806311397609029127Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:08:00 +00002009-01-03T15:13:11.440-06:00Is there Such a Thing as 'Nice Bombs'? Shot in January 2004, just 10 months after the American-led invasion of Iraq, Chicago filmmaker Usama Alshaibi’s offbeat documentary “Nice Bombs” engages the viewer with an oddly casual tone. A Baghdad native, Alshaibi chronicles his return home with his wife and father to see his extended family for the first time in 24 years. It opens with Alshaibi http://www.nicebombs.com/2009/01/is-there-such-thing-as-nice-bombs-shot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-7408558549620624290Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:48:00 +00002008-03-16T12:54:21.083-05:00http://www.nicebombs.com/2008/03/blog-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-6270907467652174086Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:41:00 +00002008-03-16T12:48:35.906-05:00From my email archive:(Feb 13 2004) U Alshaibi wrote:Sama, tell everyone we are fine. yes one of thebombings killed about 30 people and injured almost80...it was 4 miles from us. I'll write about it inmy blogger- thanks for checking up, we are in Amman and willhopefully be back in the usa by monday- love usama  Sama wrote:Hi U, Making sure you are fine. There has been a lot ofmajor bombings onhttp://www.nicebombs.com/2008/03/feb-13-2004-u-alshaibi-wrote-sama-tell.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-6597897544228202823Wed, 05 Sep 2007 02:47:00 +00002009-04-08T20:04:04.361-05:00I know I have not posted in a long time. NICE BOMBS has been doing well. We got picked up by 7th Art Releasing thanks to our awesome producers Benzfilm Group. I want to to update you on some of the news and events in the past year.-We had our world premier at the Chicago Underground Film Festival in 2006 presented by the Playboy Foundation. Studs Terkel and Christie Hefner introduced the film. http://www.nicebombs.com/2007/09/i-know-i-have-not-posted-in-long-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-7115893075197001524Wed, 02 May 2007 14:49:00 +00002007-12-03T21:30:35.540-06:00http://www.nicebombs.com/2007/05/blog-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-114465078958224477Mon, 10 Apr 2006 06:29:00 +00002006-04-12T01:10:18.420-05:00NICE BOMBS IS FINALLY FINISHED!I know it has been over two years but with the help of the Benz, Kristie and the whole gang we are finally complete. Stay tuned for upcoming screenings. Please email me: ' usama (at) dancehabibi (dot) com ' to be placed on my email list (I recently lost all my email contact, so please send me your email even if you think I may have it).New website, poster and http://www.nicebombs.com/2006/04/nice-bombs-is-finally-finished-i-know.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-111966420203903138Sat, 25 Jun 2005 01:49:00 +00002008-03-16T12:47:52.813-05:00 Baghdad 2004 So much has happened and so little has changed. The movie on Iraq, NICE BOMBS, has received a generous grant from the Creative Capital Arts Foundation and wins Tribeca All Access Creative Promise Award for Documentary Feature - Sponsored by The Playboy Foundation. The award was presented by Rosie Perez and Chris Napolitano, Editorial Director of Playboy Magazine. The Benzfilm and http://www.nicebombs.com/2005/06/baghdad-2004-i-know-it-has-been.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-111309335795704933Sun, 10 Apr 2005 00:35:00 +00002005-04-09T19:38:16.380-05:00Happy Anniversary?Iraqi demonstrators stage a mock reenactment of Abu Ghraib Prison abuses during a rally in Baghdad, Saturday. (AP Photo)BAGHDAD, IRAQ - Tens of thousands of followers of a radical Shia cleric marched through Baghdad Saturday, demanding the end of the U.S.-led occupation on the second anniversary of Saddam Hussein's ouster.In the largest anti-American demonstration since the http://www.nicebombs.com/2005/04/happy-anniversary-iraqi-demonstrators.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-110459506765677205Sat, 01 Jan 2005 15:55:00 +00002005-01-01T09:59:00.926-06:00Listen to my interview with Steve Edwards on Chicago Public Radio's 848 program part 1 & part 2http://www.nicebombs.com/2005/01/listen-to-my-interview-with-steve.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-109761403050472012Tue, 12 Oct 2004 20:36:00 +00002004-10-12T16:02:04.280-05:00I know it has been a long time since I last posted. I'm torn about returning to Iraq...I want to, but I'm not sure when. In the meantime I will be screening an excerpt from the doucmentary and other short videos from Iraq. So come out on November 20, 2004 to the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago for a special show I created called: VIDEO BABYLON Here is the description that Barbara Scharres, http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/10/i-know-it-has-been-long-time-since-i.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-109311959127703033Sat, 21 Aug 2004 20:18:00 +00002004-08-21T15:19:51.276-05:00I received this in the mail today- if you have any information please contact them: Dear Iraqui blogger, we are italian bloggers worried about the fate of the missing Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni. Enzo wento to Najaf with a humanitarian convoj of the Italian Red Cross carrying water and medicinals for the Najaf’s population. His family and his frends wanted help to know if Enzo is alive http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/08/i-received-this-in-mail-today-if-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-109111665212628528Thu, 29 Jul 2004 15:56:00 +00002004-07-29T10:57:32.126-05:00email from my cousin in Baghdad, tw hi usama congratulations for samers wedding .. give him my regards two days ago we were dining in the garden of the hunting club about 10 pm with my wife and kids with some friends. we heard the sound of a nice explosion..not near about 2km or 3 but you know we were in the garden and it sounded very clear and 3d stereo. after that we heard hysterical http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/07/email-from-my-cousin-in-baghdad-tw-hi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108909703726181500Tue, 06 Jul 2004 06:56:00 +00002004-07-12T22:39:28.116-05:00okay here is my 'trailer' from my Iraqi documentary. enjoy. http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/07/okay-here-is-my-trailer-from-my-iraqi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108854828351559315Tue, 29 Jun 2004 22:29:00 +00002004-06-30T10:15:11.140-05:00Long Live Iraq? from my cousin: Congratulation's for our Iraq independence day      I'm feeling optimistic our this first step for political & social & economical in dependency   ... you should be optimistic too we have hopes for voting we have chance to be really free   -tw one day ago... Iraq's US-led administration this morning transferred sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government in a http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/06/long-live-iraq-from-my-cousin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108741752340348016Wed, 16 Jun 2004 20:24:00 +00002004-07-13T02:38:39.466-05:00my memorial weekend terror story I forgot to tell this story, about memorial day weekend, yes I must relay. I'm walking in downtown chicago and the weather is a mixture of dark clouds and blue skies competing for the spotlight. I have my digi-video cam and I'm shooting tall buildings and the dance of trains, cars and people. I walk towards the federal court building and pull out my camera and http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/06/my-memorial-weekend-terror-story-i.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108640735091282919Sat, 05 Jun 2004 03:48:00 +00002004-06-04T23:40:52.090-05:00an email from my cousin in Baghdad, today he wrote me: hi usama i'm sorry for waiting for a reply for so long in 3/5/2004 i was at work in the company and a car boom exploded at the street very near by . so i got hit with a nice boom at last. i had 10 minor wounds in my chest , belly , arms and they are healing now all the wounds came from windows glass i came back in a hurry just to http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/06/email-from-my-cousin-in-baghdad-today.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108628140648308143Thu, 03 Jun 2004 16:46:00 +00002004-06-03T12:09:23.686-05:00Welcome to the USA ARTISTS SUBPOENAED IN USA PATRIOT ACT CASE Feds STILL unable to distinguish art from bioterrorism Grand jury to convene June 15 Three artists have been served subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury that will consider bioterrorism charges against a university professor whose art involves the use of simple biology equipment. Early morning of May 11, Steve Kurtz http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/06/welcome-to-usa-artists-subpoenaed-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108551433441276260Tue, 25 May 2004 19:45:00 +00002004-05-26T02:01:13.470-05:00wow I just heard on the radio that 52% of Americans think that Saddam is linked to the attacks on 9/11. For the record I will repeat this: SADDAM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH 9-11! We invaded Iraq under FALSE pretenses and the uneducated and naive public bought it, swallowed it and now we have to pay for it and eat our own shit. Yes I'm glad they got rid of Saddam and when I asked Iraqis, what about http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/05/wow-i-just-heard-on-radio-that-52-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108507209683116874Thu, 20 May 2004 16:46:00 +00002004-05-20T11:57:22.350-05:00from my cousin tk from Baghdad, Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 01:48:37 -0700 (PDT) long long long time usama and no see even your blogger is getting slower. and the country is falling down with no reason ! and all the news is talking about is abu graib and US slodiers. already said that these things happen . in the middle of the US in iran in kuwait....every were maybe car accedent kill more peoplehttp://www.nicebombs.com/2004/05/from-my-cousin-tk-from-baghdad-date.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108442782078448536Thu, 13 May 2004 05:55:00 +00002004-05-13T00:57:00.783-05:00I watched it. http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/05/i-watched-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108430253177260541Tue, 11 May 2004 19:08:00 +00002004-05-13T01:00:02.906-05:00This Abu Musab al-Zarqawi guy that claims to avenge the torture of Iraqis by beheading the American citizen is a scumbag. I repeat Al-Zarqwai has no claim or right to speak for Iraqis. He is a sham and using this US occupation to declare war on Shia's and anyone cooperating with the US. Whatever you may think of the Abu-Graib pictures do not applaud this fuckhead. He has killed so many Iraqis http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/05/this-abu-musab-al-zarqawi-guy-that.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108374037296484241Wed, 05 May 2004 06:55:00 +00002004-06-27T19:54:32.820-05:00When I was in Baghdad and discussing the Coalition, the US government and various members of the Coalition Provisional Authority my Uncle said: they are all looters, all of them...they are all thieves and liars. yes they are. All of them. http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/05/when-i-was-in-baghdad-and-discussing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108361128301645033Mon, 03 May 2004 18:54:00 +00002004-05-05T02:16:35.340-05:00I've been disgusted and freaked out with the recent Abu Ghraib images of prison abuse at the hands of the US. Here in the USA it is getting much publicity and Bush has made some lame statement about how this is not representative of the USA. Yeah sure Mr.Bushie. Anyway this is a micro incident of many atrocities that go on in Iraq at the hands of coalition. But as my cousin has stated in the http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/05/ive-been-disgusted-and-freaked-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779671.post-108257097167690866Wed, 21 Apr 2004 18:09:00 +00002004-04-21T13:12:30.013-05:00bad news from the middle east Iraqi officials say more than 60 people, including many children, were killed Wednesday, in a series of explosions in or near the southern city of Basra. ++++ A suicide car bomber destroyed a Saudi security forces building in the capital Wednesday, killing a senior officer and at least nine other people. ++++ Israeli troops killed seven Palestinians, the http://www.nicebombs.com/2004/04/bad-news-from-middle-east-iraqi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Usama Alshaibi)