Rojava Film Series, January 5
As Turkey continues its brutal campaign of aggression in North-East Syria (Rojava), Kurdish communities remain on the frontlines of resistance. In defiance of occupation, violence, and systemic oppression, the people of Rojava continue to build an egalitarian society rooted in principles of direct democracy, women emancipation, and social ecology.
This event amplifies the resistance of Rojava through the lens of Kurdish filmmakers, featuring two documentary films produced by the Rojava Film Commune.
Jinwar (2024), directed by Nadia Derwiş
Love in the Face of Genocide (2020), directed by Sêro Hindê
Following the screenings, there will be a Q&A session with Jinwar director Nadia Derwiş (remote from Rojava) to discuss the current realities in Jinwar and Rojava. This conversation will provide updates on the women-led revolution and the ongoing threats posed by Turkish backed militias.
Date: Sunday, January 5, 2024
Time: 1pm-4pm
Location: Woodbine Center, 585 Woodward Avenue, Ridgewood, Queens. Admission free.
About the films:
Jinwar (2024)
In 2017 a group of women in North-East Syria (Rojava) envisioned and created Jinwar, an all-women village constructed using traditional materials and methods. Jinwar became a refuge for women escaping male violence, providing a space to rebuild lives through collective living, agriculture, and handicrafts. Narrated by Rûmet Heval, the film portrays how the women of Jinwar are forging new identities and crafting a vision of an egalitarian society. Jinwar was screened at NYKFF8. Watch the trailer here.
Love in the Face of Genocide (2020)
This remarkable documentary explores the oral literature of the Yazidi Dengbêj in Shengal, Kurdistan. It highlights the stories of survival and cultural expression amidst the genocidal violence faced by the Yazidi people. Produced by the Rojava Film Commune, the film preserves and amplifies the voices of a community often marginalized and silenced. Watch the trailer here.
