
The Lions by the River Tigris
Three men confront the ruins of Mosul by fighting to restore the city's cultural memory, artistic life, and sense of identity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- serious
- intimate
- reflective evening
- documentary night
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The three central men work to heal Mosul and preserve its identity, culture, and art after the city's destruction.
Mosul's post-liberation ruins provide the central setting for reflections on identity, heritage, and recovery.
Three men are followed through distinct but related efforts to prevent Mosul from remaining defined by ruins.
The film focuses on preserving art and identity after the battle for Mosul's liberation, with healing as its continuing concern.
Films like The Lions by the River Tigris, and why
The Last Men in Aleppo
shares a post-conflict documentary focus on devastated cities, civilian resilience, and the preservation of cultural identity
The Cave
shares an intimate documentary approach to communities rebuilding amid war's aftermath and ongoing humanitarian pressure
For Sama
shares a reflective portrait of cultural memory, artistic survival, and everyday life amid the ruins of a conflict zone
Movie Details
- Director
- Zaradasht Ahmed
- Release Date
- 2026-02-12
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (1)
Common questions
- What is The Lions by the River Tigris about?
- Three men confront the ruins of Mosul by fighting to restore the city's cultural memory, artistic life, and sense of identity.
- What is The Lions by the River Tigris like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Lions by the River Tigris as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Lions by the River Tigris violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Lions by the River Tigris.
- Which films are like The Lions by the River Tigris?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Men in Aleppo, The Cave, and For Sama.
- How long is The Lions by the River Tigris?
- The Lions by the River Tigris runs 90 minutes.












