Watch Barzan

Barzan is a 2013 documentary film directed by Danish filmmaker, Andreas Dalsgaard. The film follows the trials and tribulations of Barzan, a Kurdish man living in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Barzan is a popular and respected figure in the city, known for his activism on behalf of the Kurdish community. He is also an accomplished poet and playwright, with a deep love for his people and his culture.

The film begins with Barzan's arrest by Iraqi authorities on charges of terrorism. Barzan is accused of being a member of a Kurdish rebel group called the PKK, which has been fighting for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey and Iraq for decades. Despite his protests of innocence, Barzan is detained and subjected to interrogation and torture.

As the trial unfolds, the film delves into the complex political and social forces at play in Iraq at the time. The country is still reeling from the aftermath of the US-led invasion and the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. The Kurdish region of Iraq, in particular, is grappling with the aftermath of the Anfal genocide, in which thousands of Kurds were killed by Saddam's forces in the late 1980s. The trauma of these events still lingers, and the wounds are far from healed.

Barzan's case becomes a cause célèbre in the Kurdish community, with protests and demonstrations calling for his release. The film captures the passion and energy of these protests, as well as the dangers faced by those who take part in them. The Kurdish people are fighting for their very survival, and the stakes are high.

Through interviews with Barzan's family, friends, and fellow activists, the film paints a rich and vivid portrait of the Kurdish community in Iraq. We see the struggles they face on a daily basis, from poverty to political oppression to the ongoing threat of violence. But we also see their resilience and their determination to survive and thrive.

As the trial comes to a close, the film builds to a tense and emotional climax. Will Barzan be convicted? Will justice be served? The answers to these questions are left for the viewer to discover.

Overall, Barzan is a powerful and moving documentary that offers a glimpse into a world few of us have ever seen. It is a story of courage, perseverance, and the enduring human spirit. Through the eyes of Barzan and his community, we see the struggles and triumphs of a people who have been too long overlooked and marginalized. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.