Kurdish Filmmaker Halkawt Mustafa Returns with ISIS Drama, ”No Paradise if You Are Killed by a Woman”
Following the success of his 2023 documentary, “Hiding Saddam Hussein,” filmmaker Halkawt Mustafa is now turning his attention to a new chapter in Iraq’s recent history. His upcoming feature film, “No Paradise if You Are Killed by a Woman,” offers a dramatic portrayal of the rise of the Islamic State.
The film leaps forward a decade from the fall of Saddam Hussein, focusing on a Kurdish-Norwegian female sniper. She returns to the battlefield, driven by a thirst for vengeance and a desperate mission to rescue her sister. her sister remains imprisoned by ISIS in Mosul.
Rising Kurdish star Avan Jamal (“The Exam”) leads the cast. Norwegian actor Thorbjørn harr (“The Tunnel,” “22 July”) also features in a prominent role.
Mustafa describes the film as “a poetic portrait of a woman warrior who refused to bow to darkness.” It’s a story deeply rooted in the experiences of women who fought against ISIS.
Inspiration from Real-Life Courage
The narrative draws notable inspiration from the bravery of Nadia Murad. Murad, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, was abducted by ISIS during the 2014 Yazidi genocide. Her willingness to share her story publicly served as a guiding force throughout the project.
Mustafa wrote and directed “No Paradise if You Are Killed by a Woman.” He also produces through his Norway-based Hene Films AS, alongside Janne Hjeltnes and John M. Jacobsen. Discussions with international sales agents and distributors are currently underway.
Building on Documentary Success
Mustafa’s previous work,”Hiding Saddam Hussein,” premiered at the 2023 Red Sea Film Festival. The documentary featured Alaa Namiq, the Iraqi farmer who sheltered Saddam Hussein from the U.S. army for 235 days. The film became a box office hit in the Arab world, demonstrating a clear audience appetite for stories from this region.
“No Paradise if You Are Killed by a Woman” promises to deliver another compelling and emotionally resonant story.It explores themes of resilience, vengeance, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. You can expect a powerful cinematic experience that sheds light on a critical period in Iraqi history.
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