Rojava Film Commune released a statement calling upon all patriotic, revolutionary, and democratic filmmakers, independent film producers, screenwriters, cinematographers, editors, and artists to stand with Rojava, which is under attack from HTS-ISIS militias and Turkish-backed mercenaries.
The appeal by Rojava Film Commune includes the following:
“Dear friends;
“Ten years ago, the lands of Rojava, at great cost, freed humanity from the fear of ISIS, one of the darkest terrorist organizations in human history. It reminded humanity that these savages, who sought to inflict medieval barbarity upon all, could be defeated, and that good should not fear evil. Furthermore, the seeds of women’s liberation, human coexistence, ecological life, and direct democracy in the Middle East, though watered with blood, stubbornly began to sprout.
Unfortunately, because these values clash with the interests of capitalist modernity and imperialism, they have now placed the remnants of ISIS, HTS, at the head of the overthrown Syrian regime with the support of the Turkish state. With this, America and other colonial powers have openly declared that they do not want to allow Kurds or a democratic system in the Middle East. As is known, the first action of the provisional Damascus government was to carry out massacres against different identities living in Syria, such as Alawites and Druze. Today, they have turned the focus of this massacre towards the lands of Rojava. The Turkish state’s hostility towards Kurds and ISIS’s hostility towards human values have merged, and they aim to destroy this life built with great sacrifices. They are aiming not only for physical annihilation, but also for a massacre of life, culture, and hope.
Defending these values and Rojava is the responsibility and duty of all conscientious people. And the world must show that it is worthy of the great sacrifices made by the Kurds and revolutionaries in Rojava to protect the values of humanity and to save the world from the fear of savagery.
We as the Rojava Film Commune, know that unless we tell our truths, the lies of others will become history.
But we are not alone. This struggle is the common struggle of all humanity. And cinema is the most universal language of this struggle.
From here, we call out to all patriotic, revolutionary, and democratic filmmakers, independent film producers, screenwriters, cinematographers, editors, and artists;
• Come, strengthen your solidarity.
• Keep the oppression of ISIS, HTS, and the Turkish state, and the honourable struggle against it, on the agenda of the world public.
• Make room for the voice and breath of the Rojava revolution in your festivals, platforms, and workshops.
• Make your technical knowledge, experience, and creative power a part of this collective narrative.
• Share your video messages of support on social platforms
We are warriors who want to tell the truth with the power of images. The weapon of truth is sharper than the darkness of lies, we can only dispel it with the light we create together. Your solidarity is the most powerful projector that will illuminate the curtain of our resistance.
Long live the Rojava Resistance!
Woman, Life, Freedom!
Long live Free Cinema!
With respect and solidarity…”