Inside Iraq: The Untold Story
Mike Shiley, Director
The war in Iraq has been showcased as both an example of American decisiveness and the catastrophic result of failed leadership. But
beyond the debate, what is the reality of life on the ground? In
December of 2003 traveler Mike Shiley felt compelled to find out for
himself. Shiley, who is not a professionally trained journalist or
filmmaker, managed to strike a deal with a local ABC-TV station to
bring back stories about the troops in Iraq. Armed with a digital video
camera and a home-made press pass, Mike Shiley chronicled a two month
journey inside Iraq, interviewing American and Iraqi soldiers, talking
to local citizens, and putting himself in situations of great personal
risk. Rather than push a political point of view, INSIDE IRAQ: THE
UNTOLD STORIES Shiley lets the camera roll. We are shown Iraq as we've never seen it before, getting a raw look at what it's like to be a soldier and a
civilian in Iraq today. No matter how you feel about the war, INSIDE
IRAQ: THE UNTOLD STORIES is bound to leave you examining your own
beliefs about the U.S. military, the Iraqi people, and our future in
the middle east.
Mike Shiley, producer/director of Shidog Films is a photographer, filmmaker and freelance journalist. He has recently returned from two months in Iraq, developing exclusive stories for ABC World News Tonight, Nightline and Good Morning America as well as ABC-TV affiliates KATU-Portland, OR, KMGH-Denver, CO and WFTS-Tampa/St. Petersburg FL, international humanitarian aid groups and a variety of online news services. His new film is entitled INSIDE IRAQ: THE UNTOLD STORIES, a 90-minute documentary that highlights the challenges, opportunities and lives of the Iraqi people and the US soldiers stationed there. Mike traveled extensively throughout Iraq from the Kurdish controlled region in the north, through the infamous Sunni Triangle in central Iraq and to the sacred Shiite controlled cities in the south. He visited impoverished villages with Western medical teams, went on night patrols along the Syrian border in a tank squadron, flew over the country in a Blackhawk helicopter and walked the streets of Baghdad uncovering the lives of the Iraqi people.
Mike has also worked as a freelance photographer for CNN covering the war in Sarajevo, trekked to Everest Base Camp in Nepal and completed a 3,000 mile solo bicycle trip from British Columbia, Canada to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Mike is also an accomplished scuba diver and as a certified Dive master, he has guided over 250 dives in the Red Sea in Egypt. Mike has produced travel films on Iraq, Nepal, Thailand and Cambodia. He has visited 36 countries and loves meeting people, especially children, from around the world.
I wanted to thank you for your awesome performance last night. It was received very well, and you without a doubt got your message across to students and faculty alike here on campus. The war in Iraq is a topic that is not addressed nearly enough here on campus, and my hopes for this event were that this could be the seed that would start conversation and knowledge sharing. It was so nice to meet you, and hear your stories and your point of view. Your down to earth personality gives me hope that there are people in the world who can and will make a difference. Vanessa and I enjoyed your company, and loved being your temporary "entourage." Ha ha. I hope the rest of your tour on the road goes smoothly, and all is well. Take care,
Christine Spindler
Special Events Chairperson
Southern New Hampshire University
Things went great! We had a great response from the students and had a great turnout. We had several people from the community come to the showing as well and we have gotten several responses thanking us for bringing Mike. Thanks for working with us about everything!
Jeana Schow
Student Government Association
Oklahoma Christian University
The program was fantastic, and is receiving some of the best reviews of any program at Eastern in the last few years.It certainly speaks highly of Mr. Shiley and CIA. It was tremendous, attendance was significant, and the event has created quite a buzz.
David Fifer
Student Body President & Student Regent
Eastern Kentucky University
Mike's program was VERY well received. We had around 125 students and a few townspeople in attendance and they all stayed through the movie and the discussion afterwards. Several students went out of their way to state that we should do these kinds of programs more often. Mike really connected with the students - one of them had served in Iraq and agreed with Mike was conveying with his film and with his comments. Everything went very smooth!!
Don Heins
VP Student Services
Young Harris College
Mike Shiley was great! He had a terrific presentation about his movie and was more than willing to stick around for an impromptu Q&A session after the show. He was so engaged with the students that we literally had to drag him out of the auditorium so that we could get him back to his hotel at a decent hour.
Thanks again for your help on this program.
Paul Spangle
IMPACT Program Coordinator
Minnesota State University, Mankato
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