Synopsis

In Kurdistan, as in the majority of battle zones, which have been ongoing for many years, women are making their presence
increasingly felt. It is almost as if, in order to stop the murderous madness of man, they must today be in the front line, transforming themselves into human bombs or soldiers.
In 1996, the women joining up with the PKK guerrillas decide to form their own army, completely independent of the men’s army. “The Women of Mount Ararat” retraces the life of a women’s “manga”, a base unit of the guerrilla army, made up of six women soldiers.
Constantly on the move, with no particular aim other than climbing the next mountain, they are on the lookout for the invisible enemy. Amidst military manoeuvres and everyday tasks, the intimate moments of these women’s lives are gradually revealed alongside their individual destinies. Here, where life is a question of survival, their human qualities transcend those of the soldier’s, liberating them from their state of male oppression in their society.

Awards

MoMA, Documentary Fortnight Expanded - New-York (USA)
3ème Festival of Kurde Movies - Francfort (Germany)
Festival du film de Montagne - Autrans (France) Grand Prix
HOTDOCS - Toronto (Canada) International Competition
Cinéma du Réel - Paris (France)
Jury Prize Prix des Bibliothèques (France)
Golden Apricot - Erevan (Armenia)
Festival de Cracovie (version 52') (Poland)
Festival de Leipzig (Germany)
Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire - Montréal (Canada)
Festival international du Film d'Environnement - Paris (France)
Escales Documentaires - La Rochelle (France)
Tempo Festival Documentaire - Stockholm (Sweden)
Bergen International Film Festival - Bergen (Norway)
Exile Film Festival - Gothenbourg (Sweden)
Festival International de Film de Droit de l'Homme (Argentina)
Festival de Cine Independiente - Barcelone (Spain)
IDFA - Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
Festival de Cannes Selection ACID (France)