Leyla Zana was the first Kurdish woman MP to be elected to the Turkish Parliament in 1992. In 1994 Zana was imprisoned for 15 years for speaking Kurdish in the Parliament. Zana has just recently been released from prison.
In May and June this year, former asylum seeker turned Glasgow resident Peri Ibrahim and film maker Doug Aubrey headed out to Kurdistan to begin work on a film called Peshmarga (trans: Those who die first). This event will be the first chance to glimpse a remarkable project-in-progress and an opportunity to quiz both film makers about just how Peri?s remarkable story will eventually reach the screen. It had been more than 15 years since Peri had been home to the Kurdistan of Iraq and even longer since he?d held a Kalashnikov. Did his trip result in a final journey home or a new call to arms?
We turn to our own shores to see news clips and new footage featuring Faroq, an Iranian Kurd who together with two friends made the headlines in March by stitching up their lips and going without food for over four weeks. Six months and an eviction later, Faroq tells us his story. Guest Speakers: Mustafa Gundogdu, Kurdish Human Rights Project/Kurdish Film Festival, London Filmmakers: Doug Aubrey, Marie Olesen, Peri Ibrihim, Kudret Gunes