The Return: Life After ISIS
“THE RETURN: LIFE AFTER ISIS” is a documentary by Alba Sotorra, focusing on Western women who joined ISIS and now seek redemption. Central figures Shamima Begum (UK) and Hoda Muthana (US) gained notoriety as teenagers for joining ISIS. Post-ISIS, they’re in Syrian camps, stateless; Shamima’s UK citizenship was revoked. This film presents their side, often overlooked by a critical media. Kurdish camp overseer Sevinaz runs a writing workshop, offering them a voice. Through this, their stories unfold: their initial draw to ISIS, life under its regime, and their current hopes and fears. The film juxtaposes global perceptions of these women as threats with their personal, often traumatic, journeys. It challenges viewers to see beyond labels, understanding the complex realities of these women’s pasts and their aspirations for a future.
Andrea Vilches Arcas (Spain)
Alba Sotorra SL
- Raise awareness of the current situation of the young westerners who joined ISIS and are now held in camps, as well as amplify the Kurdish women voices who are dealing with the struggle themselves.
- Foster Dialogue and Understanding: Cultivate meaningful dialogue, debate, and understanding at grassroots levels regarding Western radicalization of the protagonists. Provide in-depth, non-sensationalist information to encourage informed perspectives.
- Communication Strategy: Develop a communications strategy with the focus on explaining the situation of women held in camps, emphasizing Western accountability on the issue and, finally, aiming for their repatriation.
- Values for Peace: Foster and promote values of peace, forgiveness, accountability, and resilience. Promote the voices of women who joined ISIS as key contributors in discussions on radicalization. Draw inspiration from the values ingrained in Kurdish society as a guiding principle.
- Strategic Impact Development: Incorporate impact producers into the documentary development process.
- Define Impact Goals: Identify specific impact goals for the film, with a focus on attending specialized markets and festivals, such as FIFDH Genève, to establish partnerships.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with organizations like MET FILM Sales and Reprieve to enhance and extend the impact goals.
- International Film Festival Circuit: Present the documentary at multiple international film festivals to raise awareness on its compelling subject matter.
- Engage with Government Agencies: Showcase the film to the US Department of State to garner governmental support and recognition.
- Prestigious Recognition: Strive for international acclaim, including consideration for awards like the International Emmy Awards, to bring attention to the film's cause.
- Media Amplification: Generate press coverage to position the film as a compelling testimony for the women it represents, urging urgency in the repatriation of its protagonists.
- Advocacy for Repatriation: Work towards the repatriation of women currently stranded in camps by engaging Western countries in the cause.
Andrea Vilches Arcas (Spain)
Organisations
Film Komina Rojava
Reprieve
Broadcasters
Sky UK
TV3
Canal + Polska
RTV Slovenia
VPRO The Netherlands
PCCW Hong Kong
SVT Sweden
CBC Canada
NRK Norway TV
Distribution and Sales
MetFilm Sales
Impact
Reprieve
Funders
ICEC, TV3, Laya Awards, Creative Europe MEDIA.
Organisations
Film Komina Rojava
Reprieve
Broadcasters
Sky UK
TV3
Canal + Polska
RTV Slovenia
VPRO The Netherlands
PCCW Hong Kong
SVT Sweden
CBC Canada
NRK Norway TV
Distribution and Sales
MetFilm Sales
Impact
Reprieve
Funders
ICEC, TV3, Laya Awards, Creative Europe MEDIA.