Filming with Yezidi Survivor for Iraq Documentary – July 2025

After thoughtful consideration, our Yezidi survivor Jilan (not her real name), decided to participate anonymously in the documentary film about her collaboration with the graphic artist, Birgit Weyhe. The filming took place on July 1 and 2 and Filmmaker Olaf Markmann and Research Consultant Leyla Ferman coordinated and outlined a filming schedule. The first day started with Birgit’s art studio in Hamburg to focus on the process and partnership between graphic novelist Birgit and the Yezidi survivor. The second day was filmed at our project partner, the Bergen-Belsen Memorial site, as it serves as a place of remembrance (see below).

Filming at the Bergen-Belsen Memorial on July 2, 2025. Photo credit: Kjell Anderson.

The challenge was to respect the anonymity of the Yezidi survivor while simultaneously achieving a sense of closeness to the subject and the broader community. The approach to filming included scenes filmed in closed and open spaces, reflecting this duality.

In addition to Olaf and Leyla, Research Cluster Co-Lead, Kjell Anderson joined for off-camera interviews with the survivor, to help us to better understand their experiences and potentially be included in the project archive. 

Filming at the Bergen-Belsen Memorial (top left) and at Birgit’s studio in Hamburg (top right & bottom) and team photo of Leyla Ferman, Birgit Weyhe and Kjell Anderson in July, 2025. Photo credit: Kjell Anderson and Elif Eker.

Learn more about the collaboration and Jilan’s story on the Iraq Research Cluster Page.