NO PARADISE IF YOU ARE KILLED BY A WOMAN

Director’s Statement

I was inspired by the Kurdish women who stood against the darkness and chose to fight ISIS. Their courage has stayed with me since 2014, when I worked as a war photographer and met women on the front line who lived with fear, loss and uncertainty, yet refused to give up.

This film is a portrait of Kurdish women who have fought for generations for their dignity, freedom and right to exist. Although set in a war zone, it is ultimately a story of hope, love and strength.

The film is also deeply personal. I was born in Iraqi Kurdistan and fled to Norway as a child. Through Vyan’s story, I want to honour the women who refused to bow to darkness and fought not only for themselves, but for the freedom of others.

Anker 1

COMPANY

HENE FILMS

The Norwegian production company was founded by Halkawt Mustafa in 2016. Hene Films has produced two feature films, RED HEART and the award-winning EL CLÁSICO which was selected as the Iraqi entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards (Oscars). Additionally, winning prizes at the Tribeca Film Festival as well as the Public Choice Award in the Norwegian Academy Awards.

Hene Films has also produced several documentary films, including THE WOMEN ISIS FEARS and latest documentary feature HIDING SADDAM HUSSEIN which had its world premiere at IDFA, Arabic premiere at Red Sea, and Scandinavian premiere at CPH:DOX..