“Kobani” resistance movie depends on reality components

North Press – Rojava Film Commune, a collective of filmmakers based in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) also known as Rojava, has completed the premiere of the film “Kobani”.

“Kobnai” dives in the depth of the suffering of the city of Kobani in northern Syria during ISIS attack in 2014-2015. Kobani was credited with drawing the map of resistance in defeating the most notorious radical group in the modern world, i.e. ISIS.

The film-makers said the scenario was based on real stories, events and characters, in addition to testimonies of real fighters who defended the city.  

The film narrates the story of Kobani, starting from the siege of the countryside ending with liberation battle.

The film-makers depended on the available resources. Eventually, it is a collective effort of a number of persons and institutions in northeast Syria and abroad.

The film is a joint production among Rojava, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Germany and Spain. However, 60% of the efforts are of the original inhabitants of Kobani and its administrative and military institutions.

War circumstances and region’s situations were suitable filming site, where no sites were prepared or built, and no military machineries were rented for the film.

The cast worked voluntarily. The film eventually reflects the story of northeast Syria as a whole, not only that of Kobani. Therefore, all wanted to narrate the tale and work hard to achieve it.   

In the fall of 2014, ISIS attacked the city of Kobani and took control of the entire countryside and a large area of the city. The Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), supported by the US air forces managed to defeat the group militarily in January 2015.