HÊZA – Kurdische Filmtage

The documentary *HÊZA* tells the story of the Yazidi woman Suad Murad Xelef (Hêza), who was abducted along with 25 family members during the ISIS genocide on August 3, 2014. After escaping, she became a commander of the YJŞ (Women's Units of Şengal) and participated in the liberation of Raqqa, the capital of the ISIS Caliphate.

The film was shot in Northern and Eastern Syria, Raqqa, and Şengal, as part of a one-year project by the Rojava Film Commune. The music is composed by Kurdish musician Mehmud Berazi, and the cinematography and editing were carried out by Şaristan Mahîr, Aza Boran, Afat Baz, and Îbrahim Sedî.

**Pre-film: Xewn** (Directed by Gule Welat, 2023, 12 min, Original with English Subtitles)

An elderly mother from Kobane mourns her young son, who died in one of the battles against ISIS. Each night, she finds peace in her dreams, where she has the chance to share her life and daily thoughts with her son.