Documentary about Kurdish veterans of war against IS explores courage and survival

A new documentary, 'The Phantom Pain of Rojava,' directed by Maryam Ebrahimi, offers a tender and deeply moving portrait of Kurdish veterans who survived the war against Islamic State (IS) in northern Syria. The film focuses on a home for injured army veterans in Rojava, a Kurdish-led autonomous socialist region, where most residents are survivors of the conflict with IS. The house is mixed-gender, and Ebrahimi’s lens particularly highlights the female veterans, who gained international attention a decade ago for their battlefield courage.

The documentary opens with footage from the funeral of a female army commander, where Ebrahimi observes that it is the first time she has seen women carrying a coffin in the Middle East. She marvels at their sisterhood as they dig the soil with their bare hands—a Rojava tradition symbolizing final solidarity with a fallen comrade. Among the veterans featured is Fadakhar, a man who lost both legs and suffers from phantom itches and pains at night. The film gently explores the physical and emotional scars of war, emphasizing the resilience of those who fought.

Ebrahimi notes that women began leaving their villages to fight IS in 2011, though the documentary could have provided more background on the history of Kurdish all-female battalions. The film’s strength lies in its intimate, observational style, capturing moments of courage and survival without sensationalism. It underscores the ongoing challenges faced by these veterans, from medical care to psychological trauma, in a region still grappling with the aftermath of war.

The documentary matters because it humanizes a conflict often reduced to headlines, giving voice to those who fought on the front lines. By focusing on the veterans’ daily lives and their bonds of solidarity, Ebrahimi offers a counter-narrative to the typical war story. The film is a testament to the endurance of the human spirit, even in the face of devastating loss and injury. It invites viewers to reflect on the cost of war and the strength found in community.