Memories on Stone

“In Kurdistan, filmmaking is not a job for sane men,” the character Alan explains to the crew of “Anfal,” a film-within-the-film depicting the Kurdish genocide of the 1980s. “Anfal” is the passion project of director Hussein Hassan, whose father, a film projectionist, was a victim of the genocide. But numerous glitches keep disrupting the production schedule. Against his better judgment, Hussein casts the Kurdish pop star Roj Azad as the male lead. While the flamboyant singer will surely secure an audience for the film, he has little talent or respect for Hussein’s artistic aspirations. Hussein also can’t seem to find an actress willing or able (most Kurdish women need a guardian’s permission) to play the female lead. And then Hussein and his crew discover they will need to smuggle their film equipment to the set. Yet, Hussein is determined to depict this tragedy for his family and for the Kurdish people. Both touching and endearing, Shawkat Amin Korki’s MEMORIES ON STONE portrays the cathartic capacity of film. (In Kurdish with subtitles) – E.B.