Synopsis: 

Ekrem Cemil Pasha, after World War I, was a founder of the modern Kurdish movement in Diyarbakir and dreamed of a free Kurdistan.  His daughter Pervine married a Belgian man and for forty years in Brussels has carried on her father’s dream, publishing  a monthly newsletter about the Kurdish struggle for the free Kurdistan.  Pervine’s daughter, Nevine, grew up hearing her stories. Nevine, now grown, is directing this film—she has been filming her mother for years. She documents Pervine’s activities—at 80, she continues her publishing work—and reflects on her family’s legacy. What becomes of the Kurdish struggle over time in the Diaspora? Will the next generation take up the cause, or will it fade? The Pasha, My Mother and I is Nevine’s personal journey, grappling with the question of whether and how Diaspora Kurds can find meaning in their roots and help their children build a Kurdish identity.

Director’s note:

“Through my own family I want to investigate the difficulties of inheritance. Within my family the issue has become even more relevant since my activist mother is getting older and is looking toward us, my sister and I, to continue her work, her legacy. Over the past 20 years I have asked myself many questions related to my mother; who is she really and how did she come to be that way? As the daughter of a very passionate Kurdish activist, I have always had a love/hate relationship with Kurdistan. Gradually I began to realize that I knew very little about my mother’s past, her origins. She has probably talked about it often, but our dual mother-daughter relationship resulted in selective listening from my side.

“Today I want to stop time and look back to finally be able to look forward, now that the realization is fully there that I am the last in line. To preserve our identity, my family’s legacy has been passed down from generation to generation for over a century. How do I cope with this? Meanwhile, I am convinced that this story is relevant to many. A reflection on identity for myself, but more so for all who recognize themselves in this story. How does one deal with the high expectations that are passed on from generation to generation?”

Awards and festivals:

Kurdish Documentary Competition, Duhok International Film Festival (Duhok, Iraq, 2022)

National Competition, Docville International Documentary Film Festival (Leuven, Belgium, 2023)

Winner of Special Mention in the National Competition, Millennium International Documentary Film Festival (Brussels, Belgium, 2023)