PLEASE NOTE Q&A w/ Director Namak Khoshnaw

Directed by Namak Khoshnaw

Documentary Feature / UK, Iraq / 51 mins

Strand: Politico

International Premiere

Review:

For the past four decades, Iraq has been harrowed by wars and insurgencies, terrorism and invasion. The physical scars of these conflagrations are evident and plentiful: cities turned to rubble, and millions dead and wounded. But the damage is far greater than even this. The impact on mental health has been severe and, met with a lack of resources and training, a crisis seems unavoidable. Iraq has only one psychiatrist for every 300,000 Iraqis, and just a single psychiatric hospital. Hardly enough to face the thousands – if not millions – afflicted.

Namak Khoshnaw’s approach is not just societal - he tells this story through several case studies, each incredibly personal and indelibly moving. One with particular resonance is the story of Maryam, who was twelve when ISIS captured her and her mother. In captivity she was separated from her mother, and developed a speech impediment, one that she is still affected by. The film follows her story of recovery and healing, despite everything. That is the heart of this film - as much as it is about destruction and disaster, its ultimate message is one of convalescence and solicitude. / Review by Milo Garner

Credits:

Director: Namak Khoshnaw

Producers: Namak Khoshnaw, Kai Lawrence

Executive Producers: Tom Roberts, Christopher Mitchell