1

Pre-title: Mountains

Timecode

00:00:06:18

Caption

Zagros Mountains   

Iraqi Kurdistan

00:00:13:13

Caption

Namak Khoshnaw

BBC Reporter

2

Mountains

1991 archive

00:00:10:01

00:00:16:03

00:00:32:14

00:00:46:21

00:00:58:16

00:01:10:11

Comm:

The mountains of Kurdistan.  They’re full of dark memories for me.

I was nine in 1991. The Kurdish people rebelled after the first Gulf War, hoping to free themselves from Iraqi control. My family, along with millions of others, had to flee Saddam Hussein’s tanks. 

We were saved by the intervention of international forces.

  My father died five years later. He had fought against    Saddam and I saw the 

  terrible price he had paid for his dream of a free Kurdistan.

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

I never lost my bond with my homeland, now called Iraqi Kurdistan. It has become a refuge for young Kurds fleeing danger from neighbouring Iran. 

I’ve retuned to discover their stories and learn why they are giving  up everything in a bid to be free - just  like I did 20 years ago.  

3

Mountains...

Voices of Iranian Kurdish youth

00:01:20:11

00:01:32:16

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

00:01:49:04

5

Zana’s 1st phone video

00:01:53:07

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

00:02:07:02

7

Komala on patrol

Caption

Komala video 

00:02:14:11

[NB every video will be captioned as appropriate]

00:02:12:13

00:02:30:01

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

00:02:41:14

00:02:48:15

00:02:58:01

We need to check the border.

Iran is always planting mines.

They use drones.

Helicopters scout the whole area.

There’s a lot of risk.

If you’re discovered.

9

Komala Base 

Caption:

Komala training base

Iraqi Kurdistan

00:03:05:00

10

Intro to base

00:03:11:12

00:03:26:16

Comm

In the 1970s Komala joined the revolution against the Shah. Soon afterwards, Ayat ollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, outlawing them as anti-revolutionary infidels trying to stop the advance of Islam. 

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

11

Hemin on phone

 July 2020 00:04:10:14

Zana UGC

Hemin on phone

00:03:41:14

00:04:00:21

00:04:10:15

00:04:37:04

Hemin

Hello.

Hi Zana, how are you?

Comm

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

I’m planning to cross the border tonight.

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

00:04:43:22

Living expenses are unbearable.

Life in Iran is very hard.

I’ll put you in touch with 

someone who’s coming soon.

This time I’ll send someone

who knows the route.

He’ll bring you in safely.

13

Demonstrations

  IranProtests

00:05:28:04

Possibly fade in and out of black here?

00:05:01:23 

Comm

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

The government reacted with teargas, beatings and live ammunition.

It’s believed that several hundred people were killed.

14

Hemin

Aram & Zana on the border UGC

00:05:39:17

00:05:44:10

Comm:

Zana is joined by Aram, another recruit

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.

15

00:06:09:17

Comm

The journey is dangerous. If they’re spotted by Iranian border guards, they could be shot.

Two days later they finally make it through. 

16

Arrival

00:06:31:12

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.

17

Aram & Zana sitting in the dark

18

Night shots after arrival

00:07:00:00

Comm

Having escaped Iran, the boys now face an even bigger challenge. Will Komala accept them into its ranks – or consider them spies?

19

Aram formatting  

00:07:19:09

00:07:42:21

00:07:45:19

00:07:53:05

Khabat, can you call Aram?

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.

 20

00:08:04:14

COMM

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

21

00:08:10:12

00:08:31:05

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

00:08:56:08

00:09:43:05

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’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 must know Komala's policies.

Peshmerga don’t just carry guns.

They must have a high political awareness.

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

00:10:29:18

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.

24

Night shots of Zana alone

00:11:04:04

Comm

Now that Aram’s going back to Iran, Zana is on his own. 

25

00:11:11:13

Caption:

Six months earlier.

January 2020

Driving up

00:11:12:20

  Comm

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

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

I meet a group that’s recently arrived. They’re just beginning their training. 

26

Singing

00:11:37:14

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.

27

Hemin with group announcing passing of first stage

00:11:54:06

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.

28

00:12:17:20

Comm

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

29

Training

00:12:26:17

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.

30

Training

00:12:51:10

Comm

One of the new recruits, Ajin, is struggling with the high altitude.

31

Ajin – guard duty

00:12:58:09

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.

32

Training

00:13:18:22

Faster, faster. Like real soldiers.

33

Ajin & Rajan

00:13:22:18

My brother and I came from Sanandaj.

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

  There was so much injustice

and oppression of my people.

The lack of freedom of speech, 

because there was no freedom of thought.

Sometimes I was afraid even to think.

34

Training

00:13:46:13

Speed is essential. You change your position

as soon as you hear shots.

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

35

Bayan & Ajin

00:14:04:09

I was so sick today, Ajin.

I was in severe pain.

Did you cry?

I was alone.

No one to care for me.

36

00:14:16:20

Comm.

Bayan left Iran because she didn’t want to be forced to marry.

37

Bayan

No Caption

00:14:22:00

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.

38

00:14:42:13

Comm

Hundreds of young Iranian Kurds volunteer each year to what looks to me like guerilla training, but Komala says the guns create a false impression and are just for self-defence.

39

Ajin and Bayan shower

00:15:02:16

00:15:46:02

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.

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.

40

Rajan Itv

:00:16:15:03

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. 

41

Graduation

00:17:00:06

Good evening, comrades.

You have now completed the training

and become peshmerga.

This is your last night together. 

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

42

Rajan tears

00:17:35:13

00:17:45:08

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.

43

Graduation chanting in group

00:18:30:13

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

44

00:18:36:02

COMM

After three months’ of training, Bayan, Rajan and Ajin have become peshmerga. Now they face an unexpected challenge.

45

Mouloud

00:18:44:18

A virus called corona has spread. 

  It’s dangerous and deadly.

46

00:18:52:11

COMM

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

47

Moloud speech/ covid outbreak

00:18:59:13

From today we won’t accept any new arrivals.

00:19:14:08

Comm

Back in London, coronavirus had also changed everything. It would be midsummer before I could get back to Kurdistan.

48

00:19:31:17

Comm

When I returned I found it badly in need of a clean-up. And, ominously, Iran had been launching drone attacks against Komala bases.

49

Rajan and Ajin cleaning up

00:19:47:04

We were forced to evacuate the camp. 

We stayed in the mountains

for about 10 days.

 I wasn’t frightened.

 That’s why we’re here.  

   For armed struggle.

50

Hemin on phone call

... disguise the audio

00:20:07:12

00:20:24:02

Hello.

You want to become a peshmerga?

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.

51

00:20:40:16

Comm

Hemin is organising demonstrations in Iran. 

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

52

Hemin watching of videos of fireworks

00:20:49:04

00:21:14:04

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. 

Our activists put Komala’s leaflets

and slogans everywhere.

These activities have really angered

the Islamic regime.

The cities are already restless.

53

00:21:30:21

00:21:36:17

00:21:48:01

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

COMM

Ajin is working 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.

54

00:21:56:01

Comm

Bayan too in working in the media unit.

55

00:22:02:02

00:22:08:14

  I’m much happier here.

I can learn a lot.

I translate the news stories into Farsi 

and post them.

Comm

(And)? Rajan was given basic medical training and assigned to the camp clinic.

56 Namak returning

00:22:19:02

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

57

Zana painting

00:22:50:08

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.

58

Hemin welcomes new recruits

00:23:28:03

00:23:36:03

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.

59

Ajin, Bayan Rajan filming.

00:23:56:03

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?

60

Zana

00:24:15:12

It’s only three months since I left 

but the economic situation is much worse.

61

00:24:22:04

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.

62

Hemin on the hill

00:24:37:01

The struggle needs special 

people who will stay. 

Many difficulties are facing you.

The ones beside me are those 

with the strength to continue.

63

Ajin

00:24:56:17

00:25:06:06

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.

64

Namak leaves

00:25:18:20

00:25:34:14

Comm

During the past year, I have made five visits to Komala’s training base.

It’s now time for me to leave.

I don’t know how Bayan, Rajan, Ajin or Zana 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.

65

00:25:48:03

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

Credits

00:25:56:07

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