Resistance Is Life

Resistance Is Life is an empowering and profoundly insightful documentary released in 2017 that charts one of the most gripping human drama set against the backdrop of the Syrian War. This thought-provoking film is directed by Apo W. Bazidi and co-produced by Goran Zaneti. It features an unusual protagonist, an 8-year-old girl named Evlin, throwing light on her incredible courage, tenacity, and indefatigable spirit in the face of a horrific war scenario.

Narrated through the candid and innocent eyes of Evlin, the film moves you out of your comfort zone and plunges you into the harsh terrains of Kobane, a small Syrian town by the Turkish border. The region, gripped by the terror tactics of the militant group, ISIS, has seen widespread devastation, yet hopes are kept alive by strength and resilience of its people. The documentary excels at capturing Evlin's life at the refugee camp on Turkey's border, where she's forced to live without the comfort and security of her warm home.

Evlin, a symbol of strength and the central figure of this documentary, is a girl who instills hope and courage amidst the ravages of war. Home schooled at the refugee camp, she rightfully represents the guts and resolve of a generation that refuses to bow down to oppression or forfeit their land to the enemy. Whilst making sense of the surrounding chaos and turmoil, Evlin's character evokes the spirit of resistance and the will to strive for normalcy despite the adversities.

With Resistance Is Life, director Bazidi offers an in-depth perspective into the Kurdish resistance through Evlin's compelling story. Few documentaries have been as audacious in portraying the raw and unfiltered aspects of war, and the human suffering it inflicts. The documentary covers the convoluted politics of the region, the heartbreaking stories of displacement, but most importantly, it captures the unwavering resistance symbolized by the phrase “Berxwedan Jiyane”, which translates to “Resistance is Life”, hence the title of the film.

Despite being an intense war documentary, Resistance Is Life isn't without its moments of warmth and humanity. Evlin's conversations with her mother, her interactions with fellow refugee kids, and her dream of becoming a teacher all paint a picture of ordinary life persisting amidst the extraordinary circumstances. The film becomes a testament to the indomitable spirit of humankind and the undying essence of hope in a child's heart.

Bazidi brilliantly weaves together a narrative that's not just about war, terror and destruction, but also about hope, resilience and the determination to survive. His lens effectively observes the evils of war and the extraordinary courage of everyday people who are forced to endure such conditions. The ethnographic approach of the filmmakers goes beyond the surface of destruction and desolation, delving deeper into the sociopolitical layers, the culture of resistance, and the invincible spirit of the Kurds.

Resistance Is Life also renders a riveting narrative that keeps the audiences hooked to the screen with its raw footage and harrowing imagery in unsettling close quarters. The film is an arresting mix of gut-wrenching war sequences and heartfelt moments of human interactions. The incredibly impactful cinematography is complemented by a powerful, emotional score that amplifies the narrative’s tone and intensity.

In both a literal and symbolic sense, Evlin represents the millions of displaced children around the world, their innocence marred by war but their spirits unbowed. The title, Resistance Is Life, isn’t just a phrase in Kurdish culture, but it materializes as the central theme of the entire narrative, which, despite brutal surroundings, portrays life in all its resilience.

In conclusion, Resistance Is Life delivers an eye-opening portrayal of not only the ongoing Syrian crisis but humanizes its narrative through the eyes of a brave young girl named Evlin. It serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of people in times of crisis and emphasizes the hope and tenacity that lies within every human being. The film might be difficult to watch, given its tragic setting, but it is equally necessary, as it lays bare the raw truth of a world that we must not turn a blind eye to.