A footage of memories on Stone
Kurdish movies and cinema have emerged as a vibrant and compelling cinematic movement, showcasing the talent, struggles, and diverse cultural narratives of the Kurdish people. Over the years, Kurdish filmmakers have deftly explored the social, political, and historical dimensions of the Kurdish experience, captivating audiences around the world. The history of Kurdish cinema dates back to 1920s When The first Kurdish movie named “Zarê”was produced by USSR in 1927. However, The Movie was a silent film and depicts a romance between a young Yazdi-Kurdish couple. Although The movie was silent and in poor technics but it was the beginning of Kurdish cinema. In 1933 another Kurdish flim was produced by Yezidi Kurds in The Soviet Armenia. The Movie exhibited the establishment of Kolkhoz in Kurdish villages.
During 1950s, Kurdish cinema saw a necessary revitalization, When legendary Kurdish flim-maker Yilmaz Guney began making films, and later Guney directed and produced his famous movie “Yol”. Guney’s Yol won numerous honours and awards, including the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival. Due to the usage of Kurdish language and the portrayal of the hardships Kurds live through in Turkey. The Turkish authorities banned the Movie till 1990s. Yılmaz Güney, a Kurdish director who later achieved international recognition, played a crucial role in shedding light on the Kurdish struggle for cultural and political rights through his movies and documentaries.
The 1980s and 1990s were particularly challenging for Kurdish cinema due to political repression and armed conflicts in the Kurdish regions. Filmmakers faced strict censorship, limited funding, and the constant threat of persecution. Many Kurdish filmmakers had to work underground or outside their homeland to produce their films.
In the early 2000s, Kurdish cinema gained significant international recognition, with Kurdish filmmakers receiving accolades at major film festivals worldwide. This recognition helped bring attention to the Kurdish film industry and opened doors for collaboration, funding, and distribution.
Kurdish filmmakers began to explore a wide range of genres, including drama, comedy, and documentary, to depict various aspects of Kurdish life, history, and socio-political challenges.
Here is list of the best Kurdish movies:
In this blog post, we will explore some of the best Kurdish movies that You may find Interesting and worthy.
The movies we have chosen for this blog posts, have either one of or all of these characteristics:
- Cultural Identity: Kurdish movies often focuses on portraying the rich cultural heritage and identity of the Kurdish people. It explores themes related to Kurdish history, traditions, language, music, and folklore.
- Political and Social Issues: Many Kurdish films address political and social issues faced by the Kurdish community, such as the struggle for self-determination, human rights, and the impact of conflicts and oppression. These movies often shed light on the challenges and experiences of Kurds in their respective countries.
- Historical Context: Kurdish movies frequently delves into historical events and periods that have shaped the Kurdish people. It may depict significant events like the Anfal campaign, the Kurdish uprising, or the Halabja chemical attack, providing insight into the Kurdish struggle and resilience.
- Realism and Symbolism: Kurdish movies often employ a mix of realism and symbolism to convey their messages and emotions. Filmmakers use visual metaphors, allegories, and poetic imagery to explore complex themes and evoke a deeper understanding of Kurdish culture and experiences.
Exploring these movies can provide a deeper understanding of Kurdish culture and the challenges faced by the Kurdish people.
1. Bekas (2012)
The plot of the movie is set in the 1990s of Iraqi Kurdistan, the story tells two orphaned shoeshiner brothers named Dana Zamand and Zana who who dream of escaping their war-torn homeland and to set off to America in order to meet Superman. The famous Kurdish director Karzan Kader, directed this heartwarming film. It’s worthy noting that this Kurdish movie won a People’s Choice Award. And It was nominated for the Muhr Arab Award at the 2012 Dubai Film Festival.
2. Turtles Can Fly (2004)
Directed by legendary Kurdish flim-maker Bahman Ghobadi . This is probably one of the most famous Kurdish movies. The Movie is a poignant drama, setting in a Kurdish refugee camp on the Iraqi-Turkish border just before the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The film focuses on the struggles of children in the face of war and explores themes of hope, resilience, and the desire for a better future. Due to its uniqueness, The Movie has won dozens of awards and honours including:
Special Mention by the Youth Jury, Audience award at Rotterdam international flim festival.
3. My Sweet Pepper Land (2013)
One of Honar Saleem’s most successful movies, “My Sweet Pepper Land” is a unique blend of drama and comedy. Set in a remote Kurdish village, the film presents a story of Baran, a Kurdish war hero turned sheriff who tries to establish law and order in a lawless, remonte village. An Attractive teacher Govend(Golshifteh Farahani) starts supporting Baran in his his efforts to establish law and fight the village’s villain Aziz Aga, Later The teacher falls in love with Baran. It explores themes of justice, honor, and love. The Movie was screened in Un Certain Regard, nominated in the 7th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
4. I saw : The Children of Diyarbakir (2009)
This movie is notable Kurdish film released in 2009. Directed by Miraz Bezar, the film explores the effects of the Kurdish conflict in Turkey on the lives of children. It tells the story of three siblings, a sister and two brothers, whose parents died due to Turkish operation. So They struggle to cope with the violence and oppression surrounding them.
It portrays the harsh realities faced by Kurdish children, including the loss of loved ones, displacement, and the impact of military operations during the 1980s and 1990s.
The film received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling, realistic depiction of the Kurdish struggle, and the exceptional performances of its young cast.
5. Memories on Stone (2014)
Memories on Stone is a Kurdish drama film released in 2014. The Kurdish flim-maker Shawket Amîn Korki directed The film. It tells the story of a Kurdish couple, Hussein and Alan, who want to make a film about the Anfal genocide, a series of campaigns by the Iraqi government against the Kurdish population in the late 1980s. During their attempts, The couple faces numerous challenges, including censorship and lack of resources, as they try to bring their film project to fruition.
Therefore, The Movie explores themes of memory, history, and the power of storytelling. The film received critical acclaim at various international film festivals. It offers a poignant and personal perspective on the devastating effects of the Anfal genocide on the Kurdish people.
Finally
The history of Kurdish cinema reflects the resilience and determination of Kurdish filmmakers to express their cultural identity. And in order to raise awareness about Kurdish issues, and tell stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. Despite facing political challenges, Kurdish filmmakers continue to produce compelling films that contribute to the enrichment of global cinema.
While the industry evolving, Kurdish cinema promises to play an increasingly vital role in shaping cultural narratives and fostering dialogue about Kurdish history, struggles, and aspirations.
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