Zhirleh

Madar Khenan intends to break the power of tradition in her hometown where patriarichal structures are unshakeable. Her attempt to make women’s voices heard faces harsh resistance.

Zhivar lies on a slope in the breathtaking mountain landscape of eastern Kurdistan. In the village it’s the men who have power. In order to break up male dominance and solve the village’s problems, Madar Khenan wants to introduce a council where all inhabitants – women and men – have a voice. The council is formed despite taut resistance, but the same day a terrible act of violence occurs in the small town. Madar Khenan’s reform work comes to a complete halt. In this courageous and beautiful documentary, the women are portrayed by actors since the families in Zhivar did not allow the women to participate.

• Freddy Olsson