Baghdad Movie Theater Pulls 'American Sniper'

A movie theater in Baghdad, Iraq has pulled the recent war movie "American Sniper" following opposition from protesters and government officials.

The film was reportedly pulled due to its representation of the U.S. and Iraqi citizens during the Iraq War. The movie follows the real life of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, the most decorated American sniper in U.S. history.

 "It glorifies Americans and makes Iraqis out to be nothing but terrorists," teacher Ahmed Kamal, 27, told The Washington Post. "It portrays Americans as strong and noble, and Iraqis as ignorant and violent."

"I wasn't prepared to spend money to see it," he said, adding that he downloaded the film illegally from a pirate website.

The only movie theater in Baghdad has reportedly opted not to show the film to avoid further criticism from the Iraqi government and locals. The theater's decision to pull the film is reminiscent of another recent movie, "The Interview," that some theaters refused to show because it made fun of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"American Sniper" has generated much controversy since it hit theaters in early January, with some celebrities engaging in social media debates as to whether the film wrongfully glorifies war and killing.

Comedian Seth Rogen received criticism for comparing the movie to a Nazi propaganda film, while documentary film maker Michael Moore was criticized for saying snipers are cowards because they "shoot [you] in the back."