Escape from Iran

09-FEB-2021

 

1

 

Pre-title: Mountains

Caption

Zagros Mountains   

Iraqi Kurdistan

2

Mountains

1991 archive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comm:

The mountains of Kurdistan. For me, they’re full of dark memories.

 

In 1991 I was nine years old. It was the end of the first Gulf War and the Kurds had rebelled, hoping to free themselves from Iraqi control. My family, along with two million other Kurds, had to flee Saddam Hussein’s tanks. 

 

We were only saved by the intervention of international forces.

 

Five years later my father died. He’d fought Saddam for many years. I saw the physical and mental price he paid for his dream of a free Kurdistan.

 

For me, escape seemed the only option. I set out for Britain, arriving as a refugee.

 

This place, my homeland, is now called Iraqi Kurdistan. It’s under Kurdish control and has, in its turn, become a refuge – but for Kurds fleeing from neighbouring Iran.

3

 

Mountains...

 

Voices of Iranian Kurdish youth

 

In Iran they claim there’s freedom of expression,

 

but it’s a lie.

 

If you say otherwise,

 

they’ll kill you.

 

It’s a dictatorship.

 

Women aren’t allowed to speak out.

 

You have no rights. Whatever you

achieve will be taken away.

 

4

Caption

Mariwan City

Iranian Kurdistan

UGC

 

5

 

Zana’s 1st phone video

The situation is very bad.

All the youth are unemployed.

 

No one can live here.

 

I want to join the peshmerga.

6

Title: Escape From Iran

 

 

7

 

Komala on patrol

 

Caption

Komala video

[NB every video will be captioned as appropriate]

 

Comm

 

Iran, close to the border with Iraqi Kurdistan. These peshmerga fighters are on a secret mission. They’re Iranian Kurds and they belong to an organisation called Komala.

 

The border is heavily guarded so they’re looking for new ways through the mountains. They expect more young Kurds to cross from Iran in a few days.

8

 

Hemin

 

 

 

 

 

We went to find better routes

so more people can join us.

 

We need to check the border.

Iran is always planting mines.

 

They use drones.

 

Helicopters scout the whole area.

 

 

To reach our people in Kurdistan,

 

we have to cross the border zone in Iran.

 

It’s heavily guarded.

 

There’s a lot of risk.

 

If you’re discovered, you’ll face the authorities. 

 

 

9

Komala Base

Caption:

Komala training base

Iraqi Kurdistan

 

 

10

 

Intro to base

 

 

 

Comm

 

Komala is one of the Kurdish leftist groups that have long been illegal in Iran. In the 1970s it joined the revolution against the Shah. Soon afterwards, Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against the group, outlawing them as anti-revolutionary infidels who were trying to stop the advance of Islam. 

 

Today, Komala says it stands for a democratic and secular Iran where the rights of both Kurds and Iranians are safeguarded.

 

But Tehran still denounces them as a separatist faction seeking to   undermine Iran’s territorial integrity.

 

 

11

 

Hemin on phone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zana UGC

 

 

Hemin on phone

Hemin

Hello.

 

Hi Zana, how are you?

 

Comm

Hemin is Komala’s Head of Recruitment. He spends his days helping young Iranian Kurds trying cross the border.

 

Zana, can you leave tonight?

 

Yes, evening or night.

 

The route isn’t safe.

Can you walk long distances?

 

Yes, sure.

 

This is Mariwan, I’m Zana Rashidi.

I’m planning to cross the border tonight.

 

How’s the situation in Iran?

 

There’s oppression, it’s very bad.

 

Unemployment, poverty. Now

corona’s taken over, no one cares.

 

Zana, be ready tonight.

We’ll bring you in.

 

He’s a boy of 18. He tried to cross twice but couldn't.

 

He’s been asking for help for a month.

With corona, we couldn't.

 

Now we’re trying again.

12

 

Zana Video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hemin

 

 

 

 

 

I went to the border. It was closed.

 

I’m planning to see if it’s open tonight.

 

Corona’s had a huge impact.

 

Living expenses are unbearable.

 

Life in Iran is very hard.

 

Zana, take the safest route. 

You understand?

 

I’ll put you in touch with 

someone who’s coming soon.

 

The last time I went to Khurmal,

 

Kurdish security forces arrested me and sent me back.

 

This time I’ll send someone

who knows the route.

 

He’ll bring you in safely.

13

 

Aram and Zana video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ll become peshmerga 

and fight for freedom.

 

We’re proud to join. Our families support us.

 

We’ll only be proud once we

begin to fight for our homeland.

 

This is Mariwan, next to Jihad Square.

 

I was in the demonstrations.

 

More than 200 people from Mariwan

and other cities.

 

Half were killed.

The other half disappeared.

 

I don’t fear death if I’m caught.

 

But they torture you so much,

you reveal others who took part.

 

14

 

Demonstrations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possibly fade in and out of black here?

Comm

In late 2019 anti-government demonstrations swept across Iran. First, people protested against the high cost of food and fuel. When Iran shot down a Ukrainian airliner by mistake, they took to the streets again.

 

Komala encouraged and supported the protests.

 

The government reacted with teargas, beatings and live ammunition.

 

It’s believed that several hundred people were killed.

15

Hemin

 

 

 

 

 

Aram & Zana on the border UGC

 

Zana, go towards Hanai Dn.

Avoid border guards and Kurdish security forces.

 

Don't get caught this time. 

I’m relying on you. I trust you.

 

We’re close to the Tata border point.

 

This peak is called Kawazro.

 

This is Zana,

 

from the beautiful city of Mariwan.

 

This is the Iran-Iraq border.

16

 

 

Comm

The journey is dangerous. If they’re spotted by Iranian border guards, they could be shot. If captured, they face jail and even the death penalty.

 

Two days later they finally make it through. 

17

 

Zana and Aram arriving

No one else has used this route. 

 

There were mines everywhere.

 

We could see Iranian guards

searching with torches.

18.

 

Arrival

You’ll be quarantined here because of corona.

 

When you’ve completed your medical test

 and other procedures,

 

you’ll go to reception to start.

 

19

Aram & Zana sitting in the dark

I can't believe I'm here.

 

It was my dream to stop smuggling and come here.

20

Night shots after arrival

Comm

Having escaped Iran, the boys now face an even bigger challenge. I know it well – arriving in a foreign place, alone, with an uncertain future. Do they have the determination to make it as peshmerga? Will Komala accept them into its ranks – or consider them spies?

 

The next few weeks will be a real test of their character.

21

 

Aram formatting 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Khabat, can you call Aram?

 

What was your job?

 

I was a porter.

 

Which part of the military were you were in?

 

I was in ground forces.

 

Do you have any relatives working for the state?

 

My friends too?

 

Friends, relatives, anyone. But tell me the truth.

 

If you don't,

it won't do you any good.

 

You won't name me?

 

No, don't worry. We want it for our archive.

 

Tell me the names of any collaborators, 

friends, relatives.

 

There was one called B****. He was a peshmerga. He’s now working with the regime.

 

What is his family name?

 

A*****.

 

How is he collaborating?

 

There are many ways. Some kill for

the state, others pass on information.

 

I only know that he’s collecting information.

 

An informer?

 

Yes, an informer.

 

 21A

COMM

The meeting seems to be going well. Then it takes a surprising turn.

 

21B

 

 

You told the boys you want to go back?

 

Yes.

 

Why?

 

To be honest, it was when I was coming here.

 

Relax.

 

It was because I promised to ask

for my girlfriend’s hand in marriage.

 

This is your only problem?

 

My problem is I don't feel I can stay.

I want to go back.

 

We’re not forcing you. Becoming

a peshmerga must be done willingly.

 

We don’t bring anyone forcibly.

We don’t keep them against their will.

 

I’ll give you an hour to decide.

22

 

Zana formatting

Zana, come in.

 

How old are you?

 

18.

 

18 or 17?

 

A little bit left.

 

Why did you lie earlier and say 18?

 

I was told you don't accept under 18s.

I was afraid.

 

You won't have time for your hair.

There’s dust and dirt in the mountains.

 

I’ll cut it.

Will you?

 

Yes.

 

I’m not saying cut it. Here you can look as you like.

 

But you must wear the uniform.

 

No problem.

 

There are things you must consider.

 

You can’t abuse anyone.

 

No comments about how people speak or look.

 

Not everyone is as smart as you

with your hair style.

 

You mustn't humiliate anyone,

no matter their dialect or accent.

 

Can you read and write in Kurdish?

 

I can read.

 

But you can't write?

No.

 

We’ll teach you reading and writing.

 

You must know Komala's policies.

Peshmerga don’t just carry guns.

 

They must have a high political awareness.

 

You need to know why you’re fighting.

 

I love Komala so I tried to come here when I was too young.

 

I intended to lie so they’d take me and not send me back.

 

I knew you were a few months too young.

 

By the time the procedures are over, you’ll be 18.

 

The worst would be for me to be sent back.

23

 

Investigating officer discussing Komala

People come to be peshmerga

from a society ruled by the Iranian regime.

 

It’s collapsed educationally, socially and economically.

 

All of them have broken personalities.

 

Komala is trying to give them back their identity.

 

To bring them to a safe state of mind,

 

and give them back their personality.

 

They achieve things they’ve never even dreamt of.

 

Many of them become very brave peshmerga.

25

 

Night shots of Zana alone

 

Comm

Now that Aram’s going back to Iran, Zana is on his own. His name is Kurdish; but if it wasn’t, he’d be given the chance to change it, as part of his new identity.

26

Caption:

Six months earlier.

January 2020

 

Driving up

 

  Comm

This is my first visit to the Komala base. It’s bringing back memories of my early life.

 

Komala had supported the resistance group against Saddam that my father belonged to.

 

I thought they might try to restrict me, but I’m allowed to film whatever I want.

 

I meet a group that’s recently crossed over from Iran. They’re just beginning their training.

 

 

27

Singing

Gather those from all walks of life,

the unfortunate, the hard-working, the poor.

 

Gather at the call of the army,

the army of struggle and of creation.

 

Join your Komala.

28

 

Hemin with group announcing passing of first stage

Comrades. you have passed selection.

Now you begin the reception stage.

 

The reception process has rules.

 

You must stay within the

boundaries allocated.

 

Communication with other peshmerga

must be limited until you complete the process.

 

Then you’ll start the training stage.

29

 

Training seq.

Stand up.

 

You must be quick with your

Kalashnikov if you get ambushed.

 

Go.

 

31

Comm

Komala says it’s fighting for an Iran that treats all evryone equally.

 

It was one of the first Kurdish groups to invite women into its ranks and give them guns.

32

 

Training

You’ll be under a lot of stress when

you do the training programme.

 

You think about your family.

It’s natural to miss them.

 

You’ll have very restricted access

to mobile phones.

33

 

Training

Comm

One of the new recruits, Ajin, is struggling with the high altitude as well as the physical stress of training.

 

34

 

Ajin – guard duty

I was very tired because

I was in the guard post until 5am.

 

I had only a couple of hours’ sleep 

before training.

 

Whether we like it or not,

it pushes our bodies to the limits.

 

I spent my time reading books, doing different things.

 

Now I need to get used to this.

35

Training

 

Faster, faster. Like real soldiers.

36

 

Ajin & Rajan

 

My brother and I came from Sanandaj.

 

I’m very happy he’s here. He’s only 20.

 

My sister was an undercover fighter in Komala 

while we were in Sanandaj.

 

  I wasn’t as involved as her.

 

Yet I always thought about injustice

and the oppression of my people.

 

The lack of freedom of speech,

because there was no freedom of thought.

 

Sometimes I was afraid even to think.

 

37

Training

Speed is essential. You change your position

as soon as you hear shots.

 

When you’re walking you don’t know if an attack is coming.

 

So be quick, release the safety and take the firing position.

 

You understand?

Yes.

38

 

Rajan & Ajin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was a student.

 

I’m a person of culture. I was forced

to walk over treacherous terrain.

 

Suffering hunger and humiliation to get here.

 

Now I have a weapon instead of a pen.

 

None of us wants to pick up a weapon

and fight in wars.

 

We must defend ourselves, 

which is why we have weapons.

39

 

Bayan & Ajin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was so sick today, Ajin.

 

I was in severe pain.

 

Did you cry?

 

I was alone.

 

No one to care for me.

 

You were no longer there.

 

I thought about you all the time, Bayan.

 

Where did you go?

 

We went to the top of that ridge.

 

I’ll show you.

 

If peshmerga or anyone tries to cross over there,

  

there’s a 95% chance they’ll be killed.

40

 

Bayan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I left Iran because I didn't want to get married.

 

I have close friends beaten up 

by their husbands.

 

When they go home to their parents,

 

the father accuses her and defends the husband.

 

Women have no rights.

 

My life wasn’t that difficult I could see these things.

 

I didn’t come here for myself.

I came for my friends.

 

To free them.

41

Hemin on phone call

... disguise the audio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hemin talking to his wife

Hello.

 

I want to join the party if possible.

 

You want to become a peshmerga?

 

Yes.

 

Have you finally decided

to come and stay here?

 

Yes, 100%.

 

Why do you want to come?

Why did you choose Komala?

 

To be honest, I can’t live here.

 

If I stay here, I might kill myself,

my life is a misery.

 

Ok, I’ll contact you soon. Goodbye.

 

Can you imagine how desperate people are?

 

In half an hour there’ve been messages

from six people wanting to become peshmerga.

 

They’re all fed up with the Islamic Republic.

All these girls and boys are under pressure.

 

42

 

Training

Comm

Hemin says they have to turn away hundreds of potential recruits.

 

It’s no surprise that Komala’s presence creates tension with Tehran, which has branded the group as terrorists.

 

The Kurdish Regional Government keeps a close eye on Komala, but also sees it as part of the wider struggle for Kurdish independence.

43

 

Maloud firing a gun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maloud Training

I joined around the year 2000.

 

I started in Komala’s underground cells. My family had links to the party.

 

Every three months I receive

a group of 30-35 recruits.

 

We give them military and political training.

 

Now I’ll fire a bullet. You

  must go quickly to your positions. You must move quickly.

 

44

 

Comm

To me, this looks very like guerilla training, but Komala says the guns create a false impression and are just for self-defence.

 

It claims to have stopped military action against Iran almost 20 years ago.

45

 

Heavy machine gun

This gun is a BKC.

 

In battle it’s used to provide support.

 

Or cover for the attackers.

46

 

Ajin & Maloud

Commander Maulood.

 

If we start our service,

  will we be given the same guns?

 

No, you’ll be given beautiful weapons.

And new magazines.

 

Everyone will have 150 bullets.

 

Can't you give us a couple of

bullets now to try?

 

No. You might injure yourself or someone else,

or even kill yourself.

 

Being away from your family

might cause depression.

 

47

Comm

Training Komala-style is tough, both physically and mentally. The recruits have to share round-the-clock guard duties. There’s little time for personal life.

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love is forbidden here.

 

After we graduate,

 

we can go on with our love life.

We can say if we have a relationship.

49

 

Ajin in guardpost

The peshmerga life has its difficulties.

 

But now I’m with my brother.

I see no differences. We’re equal.

 

It’s not our tradition, what happens in Iran.

 

Like forcing a girl of nine to marry

when she isn’t ready.

 

50

 

Ajin and Bayan shower

 

When I was in Iran, I’d shower twice a day.

 

How often do you do it now?

 

Every 24 days.

 

We have one hour left.

 

Hurry up, hurry up.

 

Come on, Bayan. I’m freezing.

 

Bayan, I've lost a lot of weight.

 

It's normal when you train a lot.

 

After graduation, we’ll get decent places to live.

 

We undergo this

so we get used to hardship.

 

Bayan, when was the last time

you spoke to your mother?

 

Two weeks ago.

 

Don't you miss your mother?

Yes, a lot.

 

And Sami?

Yes, a lot. I’m dying to see them.

 

What did your mum tell you on the phone?

 

She told me there’d be hardship at first. It’ll get easier afterwards.

 

Ajin.

 

If my mum was here, she’d be braiding my hair.

I miss her very much.

51

 

Rajan Itv

I’m certain of one thing.

  We won’t be here forever.

 

Now we’re forced to live in camps.

 

  This will pass. One day

we’ll go back east.

 

I miss my family a lot.

 

My little nephew was the last to say goodbye.

 

I wish I could give him a hug

and kiss him once again.

 

I’m fighting for him and others

to have a better life.

52

Caption

Komala video

 

Comm.

 

The Zagros mountains mark northern Iraq’s border with Iran. To peshmerga on secret missions, they’re not a barrier, but a protection.

 

In Iran’s Kurdish villages the fighters support their underground network, and spread the word.

 

It’s a dangerous business. If Iranian troops see them, they’ll open fire.

53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crossing the border is always risky.

 

Each time I go in, I know I might not return.

 

I’ve been through a lot.

I’ve lost many comrades.

 

We were about 10 to 12 peshmerga.

 

We were in a fight with the Iranian army.

 

Some of us were wounded.

 

We lost one of our young and sweet comrades.

 

He was like a brother to me.

 

His death was devastating.

I’ll never forget it.

 

We were six or seven metres apart

when the traitors shot at him.

 

I jumped towards him.

 

There was nothing I could do.

 

He was shot so many times,

you can’t imagine.

54

 

Ajin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re getting killed on our land.

We carry arms only to defend ourselves.

 

I’d rather have had

a pen in my hand than a weapon.

 

But we have no choice.

 

My brother went to university for three years.

 

He left to follow me here.

 

He didn't finish?

 

No.

 

We have to do this because of Iran's intolerance.

 

What 17-year-old wouldn't prefer to stay

in their own country?

 

In their own home, going to university?

 

And have a coffee.

Yes, of course.

 

Instead of learning mathematics,

 

why are we fleeing to the mountains

and learning about bullets?

 

In Tehran I saw the demonstrations.

 

A friend of mine was killed in front of me.

 

We asked for our rights.

Instead we got bullets in the head.

 

 

55

 

Comm

Some of the recruits need lessons in the Kurdish language. It’s not taught in Iranian schools, so when Ajin used to write poetry, it was in Farsi.

 

56

 

Ajin reads poem

I dedicate this poem to all women.

 

‘A bird on the brink of death, 

without speaking her last words.’

 

‘They suffocated her, and broke her wings.’

57

 

Ajin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was about a girl killed by fundamentalists

because she loved someone.

 

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic

allows it by law and justifies it.

 

If a woman is killed by the father,

brother, husband, or close family,

 

it won’t be considered murder.

 

From 2005 until 2015, more than

500 honour killings were recorded in our region.

 

One of my friends was killed.

Officially it was recorded as a heart attack.

 

Can you believe a girl of

20 or 21 died of a heart attack?

 

'You’re [1] no one's a mother, sister or daughter.

You’re a woman in the trenches with me.'

 

I decided long ago to fight

using writing and acting.

 

Often I was warned 

and my work was censored.

 

We were deprived of the most basic rights.

 

Such as studying in our mother tongue, 

speaking freely.

 

We’re supposed to be silent, speechless.

 

'Like the sun, fighting the darkness.'

 

58

 

Graduation

Good evening, comrades.

 

Thanks.

 

Today, we the Central Committee and the Military Commission met to discuss you.

 

You have now completed the training

and become peshmerga.

 

Ajin will be sent to work in the media centre.

 

The rest of you will be dispersed

to other camps.

 

This is your last night together.

Tomorrow you’ll find out where you’re going.

 

59

 

Rajan tears

I left everyone and everything

for the sake of Komala.

 

I was relieved that with you beside me

we could share everything.

 

Rajan, my love, we’re not separating.

 

We’re very close. Look behind you.

 

 

60

 

Ajin Itv

 

Rajan is the dearest person in my life.

I couldn't ever think of losing him.

 

All I can do is convince him

it’s our decision to choose this path.

 

We have to go on, and not let

minor incidents cloud our judgement.

 

Or stop us fulfilling our duties.

61

 

Graduation chanting in group

Long live Komala. Long live Kurdistan. Long live socialism.

 61A

COMM

After three months’ of training, Bayan, Rajan and Ajin have become peshmerga. They’re now full members of Komala, and they face an unexpected challenge.

 

62

 

Mouloud

A virus called corona has spread.

 

  It’s dangerous and deadly.

63

COMM

The pandemic stopped all recruitment. The camp closed to outsiders and I had no idea when I could return.

64

 

Moloud speech/ covid outbreak

From today we won’t accept any new arrivals.

65

Comm

Back in London, coronavirus had also changed everything.

 

After the first lockdown ended, there was someone I wanted to meet.

 

Abdullah Mohtadi is a co-founder of Komala, and its current leader. I asked him who was supporting the group financially.

 

65A

We live a simple life.

 

You’ve seen it. 

Anyone who wishes can see it.

 

We support our activities with

donations from people. 

 

We have no great international source 

of financial support.

We depend on our people

and the local situation.

 

If we get anything, it comes from there.

 

65B

Comm

 

I also wanted to know if Komala is a political party armed only for self- defence, or a guerrilla group waiting to attack.

 

66

 

Abdullah  Muhtadi leader of Komala in London

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you plan to attack Iran’s military bases?

 

It depends on the situation. 

I can’t say anything definite.

 

  I can say that peshmerga are currently

  in a state of defence and protection.

 

They’re a force to defend Kurds and their identity and rights.

 

When IS attacked, we came from all over Kurdistan

to fight and defend the Kurdish homeland.

 

 

67

 

 

 

 

 

Comm

 

In fact, the Iraqi Kurdish authorities didn’t really welcome Komala’s offer to help. As allies of Iran, they were uncomfortable with a group that saw Tehran as a deadly enemy.

 

Today, Komala is seeking to secure international recognition. It now has an office in Washington, DC. 

 

68

Mohtadi

 

 It’s a responsible force. That’s why

 all foreign countries support it.

 

 Why the USA supports it.

70

Comm

I was able to return to the camp in July. I found it badly in need of a clean-up. And, ominously, Iran had been launching drone attacks against Komala bases – as I heard from Ajin.

 

71

 

Rajan and Ajin cleaning up

We were forced to evacuate the camp.

 

We stayed in the mountains

for about 10 days.

 

We left everything

except our uniforms and guns.

 

 I wasn’t frightened.

 

 That’s why we’re here. 

   For armed struggle.

 

But we have to protect ourselves

and take precautions.

72

 

Bayan in kitchen

 

Can we find a way of cutting the reference to Ardalan? We don’t know who he is

How many? 

 

Four.

 

When Ardalan told me to join the kitchen,

I was shocked.

 

I could have worked in the kitchen at

home. Even there I didn’t do it.

 

I have a master’s in accounting so I

thought I’d go to the finance department.

 

The first day I joined the kitchen,

I was so disappointed.

73

 

Hemin sending teams for fireworks

  I'll deliver the publications I spoke about

  to the agreed location tonight.

 

Go and distribute them to commemorate

the founding of Komala.

 

Distribute them among your group. Start

the activity whenever it suits you.

 

Ok, comrade. That will be done.

74

Comm

Hemin is organising demonstrations in Iran.

They’re acts of defiance, and are intended to increase public awareness of Komala.

 

 

75

This call was from my agent in our

underground organisation in Iran.

 

On specific dates connected

to Komala’s struggle,

 

they organize activities in the community.

 

It pleases our people and keeps morale high.

 

Of course, if caught,

 

they’d get at least 10 years, even life, or hanging.

77

Comm

Rajan has received basic medical training and is now working in the camp clinic.

 

78

 

Rajan in medical centre and conversation with patient

I like this work more than military activity.

 

I feel much better now.

 

If you work on something you like, you're happy.

 

Now I'm satisfied that I can serve and be useful.

 

I have a pain here, exactly here.

 

You're passing stool normally?

 

Very little.

 

You might have appendicitis. I’ll ask

Sister Hanifa to refer you for X-rays.

 

If that’s the case, you need an operation.

 

Can I get some painkillers for now?

 

 

 

NEW COMM

Despite the risks, Hemin’s undercover agents are continuing their actions in Iran.

 

79

 

Hemin watching of videos of fireworks

My agents in Iran sent me this video.

 

This is to celebrate the founding of Komala.

 

On these special dates they use fireworks

  to show happiness.

 

They place them where most of the people can see them.

 

In the villages, towns and all around the cities.

 

Our activists put Komala’s leaflets

and slogans everywhere.

 

These activities have really angered

the Islamic regime.

 

The cities are already restless.

 

Lots of Iranian troops entered the

town but our comrades finished the mission.

 

These activities have a special effect

on people in Iranian Kurdistan.

 

81

 

Namak returning

Comm

Komala makes videos of those events and posts them on social media.

 

….

In November, I made my final visit to Komala. The second wave of coronavirus was sweeping across the globe, but the group was now accepting new recruits. Which meant that Zana could finally start his training.

 

82

 

New arrivals

Comrades, these new friends have joined us.

 

Welcome. Welcome.

 

Give them some tea.

Show them what they need.

 

They've had a long, tough day.

83

 

Zana painting

This is our room. I’m painting it for

those who’ll live here after us.

 

We had no life as young people in Iran.

We came here to build a home for ourselves.

 

Being a peshmerga isn’t just about

carrying a gun and fighting.

 

  This is also part of it.

 

Here I learned to study, to speak,

and to behave morally.

 

Half of it is about your morality.

It’s the most important thing here.

 

84  Ajin recording

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ajin at TV centre

 

‘From the day it was founded, Komala has stood against outdated traditions.’

 

COMM

I found Ajin still in the media unit. She’s making a film about the women of Komala.

 

Komala was the first party

to involve women in armed struggle.

 

We want to show that this continues

  to today, 2020, and will continue further.

 

I want to bring back the archive back to life.

85

 

Comm

Bayan has joined Ajin. At last, she’s got the job she wanted.

 

86

Bayan at TV centre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ajin

  I’m much happier here.

 

I can learn a lot.

 

I translate the news stories into Farsi

and post them.

 

On Asoi Rojhelat and Roj TV,

 

on Telegram and Instagram.

 

We have different rooms.

  Newsrooms in Kurdish and Farsi.

 

I’m very happy working here as

my background was in media studies.

 

87

 

Zana round the fire

I was on my own before.

It was hard and I missed home.

 

After a while it got easier,

especially when my friends arrived.

 

89

 

Comm

Under pressure from Tehran, the authorities in Kurdistan are trying to stop Komala recruiting. Escape from Iran is harder than ever.

 

 

89ASana

Iranian border guards shot at us.

 

Not once, several times.

 

We ran and fell.

 

We were afraid they’d catch us.

 

Three days after we left home,

 

the intelligence service called

our families in for questioning.

 

They said we’d be chopped up if they caught us.

 

90

 

Hemin welcomes new recruits

Hello, comrades, and welcome.

You’ve chosen a path

to become peshmerga.

 

It's obvious you’ve all faced difficulties

and injustice in the Iranian regime.

 

To stop this you must revolt,

struggle and take responsibility.

 

Have courage and patience. 

Welcome to the struggle.

 

I’m very happy to see them all here.

 

Each from a different town, all wearing

peshmerga uniforms. I like it very much.

91

 

Ajin, Bayan Rajan filming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello, comrades. How are you doing?

 

Comrades, we’re from Komala’s media section. We’re making a documentary.

 

You left Iran a year after us.

 

Can you tell us about it?

92

 

Zana

 

It’s only three months since I left

but the economic situation is much worse.

 

93

 

Hemin

I’m pleased to see the old

and new recruits coming together.

 

I’m happy to see them advancing.

 

Developing their abilities and contributing.

 

94

Comm

My time with Komala has shown me one thing: it’s not for everyone. Of the recruits I met in January, only half are still here. Some returned to Iran, others headed for Europe. One even took her own life.

 

95

 

Hemin on the hill

The struggle needs special

people who will stay.

 

Many difficulties are facing you.

 

The ones beside me are those

with the strength to continue.

96

 

Ajin

I’m not happy with everything

but I never regret my decision to come here.

 

  Despite the difficulties.

 

We fight to achieve a modern society.

97

 

Namak leaves

Comm

During the past year I’ve made five visits to the Komala training base. It’s time for me to leave.

 

I don’t know how Bayan, Rajan and Ajin will fare. The region is simply too unstable to make predictions.

 

But I can see that, despite their difficulties, they’ve found a home and a purpose. At least for now.

 

RTR

The BBC invited the Iranian government to provide a statement of its view of the Komala Party and to comment on the findings in this film. It has received no response.

Credits

 

Location Producer & Additional Camera

Kermanj Hoshyar

 

Sound Recordist

Roman Rafiq

 

Sound Assistant

Mohamed Emir

  

Online Editor

Dominic McMahon

 

Colourist

Michael Sanders

 

Dubbing Mixer

Andrew Sears

 

Archive Researcher

Owen Pinnell

  

Production Co-ordinator

Khulood Alansi

Nader Khouri

David O'Donovan

 

Junior Production Manager

Nardia Millington

 

Production Manager

Maria Caramelo

 

Executive Editor

Tim Awford 

 

TV Documentaries Editor

Christopher Mitchell

 

Film Editor

Becky Way

 

Executive Producer

Tom Roberts

 

Produced, Directed & Filmed by

Namak Khoshnaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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