19-year-old Hala escaped an arranged marriage by crossing the Euphrates River and finding a new home in the Kurdish Women’s Protection Unit, which soon after liberated her hometown Minbij from Islamic State. For her fellow female soldiers, the enemy is not just IS, but the patriarchy in general, with marriage as the ultimate oppressive institution. Hala is deeply invested in these theories and dedicates herself fully to the promise, not only to free more women by the day, but also her sisters. But is there still space for freedom and love in Hala’s life when her mission is all-consuming?
(Kurdish Film Festival)

Eva Szulkowski