Gulistan, Land of Roses

This film captures a wild moment in time in the Middle East that felt like the Kurdish struggle for freedom was finally being recognised globally and given the attention it deserved. Strange alliances were made, new ways of thinking took root in Syria, and ISIS got smashed to bits. I'm glad I was there for some of it, specifically the early urban uprisings and the confusing time of immediate post-ISIS Rojava.

Sadly though the hard work of Kurdish rebels was betrayed time and again. Now that hopeful period has dwindled into an anxious limbo before the US inevitably gives Turkey the nod to invade Rojava fully.

Watching this documentary again as a jaded 34-year-old (as opposed to the less cynical person I was a decade ago when covering all this) feels very sad and strangely nostalgic. Like a kind of longing for what was an unbelievable thing to experience and an incredible thing to live through. I cannot imagine how it must feel for Kurds to see this bright moment vanish out of sight.