RETURN TO IRAQ: LIFE IN THE KURDISH MILITIA

Cinemavixion Review

Adnan Sarwar's "Return to Iraq: Life in the Kurdish Militia" offers a deeply personal and poignant look at a region often defined by conflict, yet here presented through a lens of resilience and conservation. Sarwar, an ex-soldier, revisits Iraq fifteen years after the 2003 invasion, seeking to understand the people and country beyond the headlines. His journey takes an unexpected turn in Kurdistan, where he joins the Kurdish Peshmerga militia. More significantly, he accompanies animal activist Blen Brifkani on a remarkable mission to release two rescued brown bears back into the wild of Mount Gara. This narrative thread highlights the urgent plight of native wildlife, threatened by hunting and habitat loss, and Brifkani's dedication to their preservation. Sarwar's film is not merely a report from a war-torn land, but a compelling exploration of coexistence, hope, and the quiet efforts to heal both the human and natural landscapes of Iraq.