AMED - Director Berivan Saruhan emphasized that the documentary film Stêrka Li Ser Xetê will serve as a catalyst for social peace by confronting the history recorded in the face of Kurdistan.

 

While the concrete transmission of social memory is achieved in the fields of culture and art, cinema production conveys the testimonies of life to viewers on the silver screen. Kurdish cinema also highlights the current possibilities of confrontation and historical documentation by addressing issues such as war, migration, and gender equality. Kurdish female director Berivan Saruhan's first documentary film, Stêrka Li Ser Xetê (Star on the Border), addresses the raids carried out by soldiers in 1993 on the grounds that the star symbol on the window railings in Dirbêsîyê (Şenyurt) was a political symbol.

 

With the documentary Stêrka Li Ser Xetê, Berivan Saruhan presents an example of the consequences of military-political changes in Kurdistan and assessed the effects of the confrontation created in cinema on social peace for JINNEWS.

 

'Opening up space for women and young directors'

 

Berivan Saruhan said that the documentary Stêrka Li Ser Xetê has been screened in cities across Turkey and abroad, noting that the first screening in Kurdistan took place between September 26-30 at the 9th FilmAmed Documentary Film Festival. Berivan Saruhan said, "It's not just a festival; it's both a meeting place and a space for keeping memories alive. The festival opened with great enthusiasm. It also has a special and important place for me. When we talk about language, identity, migration, exile issues, and keeping the memory of this society alive, we see the work FilmAmed has been doing for years.

 

It takes gender equality into account, which is very valuable to us. Unfortunately, Kurdish women are still not sufficiently visible. In this sense, it also creates space for women. Young directors can also come together. They are not looking for a flawless film here. In the context of creating an archive, social issues are naturally addressed. In this sense, it creates space for young or female directors. FilmAmed holds a special place for us; in this sense, I am very happy to be here. All the cities of Kurdistan have a different character and stance. However, Amed is the capital of both Kurdistan and Kurdish culture. You can find yourself here in every way."

 

Confrontation and acquaintance

 

Berivan Saruhan stated that women view peace from a deeper perspective, emphasizing that lasting peace cannot be achieved without women's ideas and labor. Noting that women are fighting for this cause, Berivan Saruhan said, "When we hear the word ‘peace,’ we think of laws. That is how it should be. In politics, lasting peace can be achieved through laws and signatures. But when we talk about cinema or culture, we are confronted with real-life stories on the silver screen. It is when we are confronted with real-life issues that peace becomes lasting. Social peace or unity also comes through confrontation. When we look at the documentaries here, we say, ‘Yes, this is what we experienced.’ Because they contain our stories and our experiences. But those who did not live with us or who were not witnesses to what happened recognize this in cinema or art."

 

Understanding the life of the ‘other’

 

Berivan Saruhan, referring to how those who bear witness to lives labeled as “other” in the social sphere through cinema are surprised at first glance, concluded her speech by evaluating the relationship between art and peace with the following words: "Afterwards, they want to understand, they question, or they don't question. Art or cinema thus becomes a provider of lasting peace. Our friends have put in a lot of effort here; I thank them very much. As Kurdish women filmmakers, we see cinema as an area of resistance and peace. We are present in every field and will continue to be."