LIGHT & DEVOTION - FILMS & CONVERSATIONS FROM KURDISTAN
IRQ/SYR 2022, docufiction, 80 min.
Director: Dersim Zerevan.
With: Roza Mistafa, Ali Avar, Rakan Şemo, Şemê Remo.
Language: OmU (Kurdish with German subtitles).
In the summer of 2014, the so-called Islamic State invaded Shengal, the capital of the Yazidis in Iraqi Kurdistan. Thousands fell victim or were abducted. A year later, the city was liberated, but what remains besides the ruins? Dersim Zerevan's film, in minimalist black and white, is a work somewhere between docufiction, film essay, prayer and visual poetry. The dramatic story of Shengal, presented through letters read aloud, becomes personal, frighteningly close.
The predominantly female film collective shot directly on location, in liberated Shengal, with, as is so often the case in Kurdish and Yazidi films, actors who were themselves involved in the fighting.
The film will be followed by a discussion with activists who traveled to Shengal in early August 2024 to give a first-hand account of the local stories, struggles and resistance.
ENG: In the summer of 2014, the so-called Islamic State invaded Shengal, the capital of the Yazidis in Iraqi Kurdistan. Thousands of Yazidis fell victim or were abducted. A year later, the city was liberated, but what remained besides the ruins? Dersim Zerevan's film, in minimalist black and white, is a work somewhere between docufiction, film essay, prayer and visual poetry. The dramatic story of Shengal, presented through letters read aloud, becomes personal, frighteningly close. (Kurdish with German subtitles)
The predominantly female film collective shot the film directly on location, in liberated Shengal, with, as is so often the case in Kurdish and Yazidi films, actors who were themselves involved in the fighting.
After the screening, activists who visited Shengal in August 2024 will give insight into the situation on site.
Price information:
- 7.00 € (regular) - 5.50 € (reduced*) - 3.50 € (with Leipzig Pass, disabled pass, volunteer pass) - Films longer than 130 min: + 1.00 € - Tickets are available online (plus € 0.70 booking fee), remaining tickets at the Box Office.