ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Foreign diplomats in Erbil praised the role of the Peshmerga in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) during the red-carpet ceremony and screening of the Kurdish film No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman at Empire Cinema on Sunday.
Directed by Halkawt Mustafa, No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman made its world premiere earlier this month at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival as Iraq’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2027.
The film follows a female Peshmerga sniper who secretly enters ISIS-held territory in Mosul to rescue her younger sister, while portraying the sacrifices of Kurdish women during the war against the militant group.
Speaking to Rudaw on the sidelines of the screening in the Kurdistan Region capital, several diplomats reflected on the role of the Peshmerga and lauded the bravery of the Kurdish people.
German Deputy Consul General to Erbil Matthias Wehler described the Peshmerga as a “good people, decent people, strong people,” saying that “the German people have a lot of respect for the Peshmerga.”
The film "was very, very impressive. It was tough stuff, but I think it showed perfectly what the Peshmerga did - not just for Kurdistan, but for the world,” he said, adding that “We owe it to the Peshmerga, who liberated the world from evil.”
British Consul General Holly Vare also highlighted the Peshmerga’s contribution to the fight against ISIS, particularly the participation of women fighters and their “vital role against Daesh.”
“Their vital role… is very well known across the world, and particularly the fact that they have many women fighters amongst their grouping is again very well known in the United Kingdom,” Vare exclaimed, adding that the UK has “long been partners with the Peshmerga” and that it is “wonderful to see that story on the big screen.”
“It was a very good film,” said Iranian Deputy Consul General Abbas Eskandari, praising the film for its cultural elements and portrayal of female fighters. “It had interesting scenes, interesting symbols, and traditional music from your own land,” Eskandari said, lauding the role of the women Peshmerga and their bravery against a foreign invading force.
Myles Caggins, spokesperson for the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) and a former spokesperson for the coalition forces, lauded the production, particularly its acting, cinematography and direction.
“This was an amazing, amazing movie. Wow. The acting in this movie was so superior. The cinematography, the direction, the story. I was so proud to see this,” Caggins said.
“This movie was such a great way to honor the Peshmerga, YPJ, YPG, and all of the men and women fighting ISIS.”
Earlier this month, the production was screened at Venice’s Sala Grande, the festival’s main screening hall, with the cast and filmmakers walking the red carpet in Kurdish traditional clothing.
The film won acclaim from the Venice Film Festival’s very own director, Alberto Barbera, who praised the film following its Venice premiere.
“We were impressed by the film. We did not expect such a strong and spectacular movie about this war, and about the role that Peshmerga and the Kurdish people played against ISIS,” Barbera said.
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