Doc Edge 2024: Mediha | Interview with Hasan Oswald

Mediha, directed by Hasan Oswald, will leave you profoundly affected. The feature documentary chronicles the harrowing experiences and extraordinary resilience of a Yazidi teenager who returned from ISIS captivity. Reunited with her younger brothers, Mediha grapples with trauma, shame, and the loss of her parents and little brother, still held captive or presumed dead. The film offers a raw and intimate look at the aftermath of the ISIS-orchestrated genocide that devastated the Yazidi community in northern Iraq in 2014. Mediha is both powerful and respectful, showcasing the director’s remarkable commitment to ethical filmmaking.

Presented at CPH:DOX 2024 and winning numerous prizes at DOC NYC, the Florida Film Festival, Movies that Matter, or Pordenone Docs Fest, to name just a few, Mediha has garnered significant and well-deserved acclaim. The Oscar-qualifying Doc Edge Festival offered the New Zealand premiere of Mediha to its audience in Ōtautahi Christchurch, with Oswald in attendance. The New York-based filmmaker delved into the poignant narrative behind the film, reflecting on Mediha’s incredible journey and the ethical considerations that shaped the documentary. Through Oswald’s words, one can admire his evident dedication to authenticity and respect for his subjects.

The Genesis of the Film

Hasan Oswald’s journey to documenting Mediha’s story began in 2020 when he traveled to Iraqi Kurdistan. “I first learned about the Yazidi genocide when I traveled to Iraq in 2020,” Oswald recalls. He was struck by the historical and ongoing persecution of the Yazidis and felt compelled to document their plight. “And it’s not just this genocide, Yazidis have suffered hundreds of years of persecution,” he adds. “Very quickly, I learned that there were at the time over 3000 Yazidis in captivity or missing.” Yet, “When I showed up, you know, all the news crews had left. They had got their lurid stories of sexual slavery and the world moved on very quickly,” he noted.

A Collaborative Effort

Understanding the complexity and sensitivity of the subject matter, Oswald knew he needed to collaborate closely with someone from the Yazidi community to tell their story authentically. He recounts meeting Mediha and her brother, whose charisma and willingness to share their experiences were pivotal. “The moment I met them, I knew that they could carry this story because it wasn’t my story. It was the Yazidi story,” Oswald emphasizes. He provided Mediha with a small portable camera and taught Mediha and her brother cinematography, allowing them to document their experiences directly. This approach ensured that the narrative remained true to their perspective. “We just built this support team around her to best tell that and sort of again, gave her the reins,” Oswald adds. “Mediha and her brothers were just joys to work with.”

Breaking the Silence

One of the significant challenges was encouraging the Yazidi community to speak out about their trauma, given their cultural and religious conservatism. Oswald notes, “At the same time, they are not encouraged to speak out about what happened to them. It’s ‘let’s repress it and move on and not talk about it.’ So when she came to us saying that she had something she wanted to say, her family at first was saying that she was only a servant in the ISIS family that held her captive, that there was no sexual violence.” Despite this, Mediha’s courage shone through. “She was very in touch with how she feels, what she went through. So we slowed everything down and said, you know, thoroughly adressing consent and continuous consent is not enough. We are going to address all of this from the ground floor, but you’re speaking to a camera now,” Oswald recalls.

Navigating Sensitive Content

Oswald and his team made deliberate choices about what to include in the film to avoid re-traumatizing Mediha. He explains, “She spoke very graphically and clearly about what happened to her. We made the decision early on not to include graphic details, and we consulted with her. She saw all the cuts of the film, she saw all the scenes, which was very important to us.” This careful handling of sensitive content ensured that the film remained respectful and considerate of Mediha’s experiences.

The Filmmaker’s Struggle

The emotional toll on Oswald is palpable. He acknowledges the difficulty of documenting such traumatic stories, stating, “It was very hard. I think the easy way out for a documentary filmmaker is to not take care of your participants. It’s easier, it’s cheaper, and I totally understand why other filmmakers would have a shorter… You know, we were there for 4 and a half years.” However, Oswald committed to supporting Mediha and her family throughout and beyond the filmmaking process. “We committed very early on to not do that… We owe it to them. They give us their stories. And, the least we can do is do our best to improve their lives,” he asserts.

Memory and Hope

The film also explores the role of memory in shaping one’s identity and future. Oswald reflects on the Yazidi community’s memories of their homeland and the harsh reality they face upon returning. “They remember this idyllic town, Sinjar, where they had all their hopes and dreams and then they return and it’s smoldering,” he says. Despite the immense challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. “There is some glimmer of hope as we approach the 10-year anniversary that those memories will not be forgotten, that this hometown will not be forgotten and the Yazidi story will not be forgotten.” Oswald is optimistic about the impact of the film, even as he acknowledges the challenges. “Mediha recognizes that every day in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza, there’s another Mediha, Adnan, Barzan, or Ghazwan created. She knows that they are the human side of conflict. And so while they feel very forgotten, tragically, they know that the world moves on quickly.”

Mediha’s Journey

Mediha’s journey has been transformative. Now in New York, she is continuing her education, participating in various film festivals where the film receives impressive and much-deserved acclaim, and engaging in speaking engagements. Oswald shares, “She arrived in the United States for the world premiere in November 2023. And she just filed her asylum case. She just finished her first month in school. Her English is improving very quickly.” Mediha is also preparing to speak at the United Nations and other significant platforms, becoming a voice for her people. New York-based Hasan Oswald, who acknowledged that meeting Mediha and her brothers changed his life, says she has become his little sister and admires Mediha’s courage and resilience: “She is about to take over the world.”

Conclusion

Mediha’s story is a stark reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of giving a voice to those who have been silenced for too long. The eponymous film is a powerful and gut-wrenching testament to the resilience and strength of a young girl and her community. Through the collaborative and empathetic lens of Hasan Oswald, audiences are given a profound insight into the ongoing struggles and enduring hope of the Yazidi people. As Oswald aptly puts it, “If you’re going to tell a story about a community you don’t belong to, you better get it right.” With Mediha’s voice leading the narrative, Mediha does just that, offering an authentic and powerful portrayal of survival and courage. This film also serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for the international community.

We are thrilled to be covering Doc Edge 2024 on the ground in Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand. Explore our exclusive coverage here.