Director of 'Hiding Saddam Hussein' Reveals Film 'No Paradise if You are Killed by a Woman,' Portraying Female Sniper Fighting ISIS (EXCLUSIVE)

Two years after his 2023 documentary Hiding Saddam Hussein, which examined how Iraqs former president eluded capture, Kurdish-Norwegian director Halkawt Mustafa is revisiting recent Iraqi history. His upcoming film, No Paradise if You Are Killed by a Woman, currently in post-production, shifts the timeline a decade forward from Saddams fall to the emergence of ISIS.

The feature dramatizes the story of a Kurdish-Norwegian female sniper who returns to the warzone she once fled, fueled by vengeance and a desperate mission to free her younger sister, still held captive by ISIS in Mosul. Leading the cast is rising Kurdish talent Avan Jamal, known for The Exam, alongside Norwegian actor Thorbjrn Harr of The Tunnel and 22 July.

Mustafa described the project as "a poetic portrait of a woman warrior who refused to bow to darkness." The narrative draws on the filmmakers encounters with women who resisted ISIS and is inspired by the bravery of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, who survived abduction during the 2014 Yazidi genocide. Mustafa noted, "Her courage in sharing her story with the world has been a guiding force for this project."

He wrote and directed the film and is producing it through his Norway-based Hene Films AS, alongside Janne Hjeltnes and John M. Jacobsen. Talks with international distributors and sales agents are ongoing.

Mustafas previous work, Hiding Saddam Hussein, premiered at the 2023 Red Sea Film Festival and explored the story of Alaa Namiq, the Iraqi farmer who hid Saddam Hussein from U.S. forces for 235 days. The documentary became one of the highest-grossing films in the Arab box office.

Author's Commentary: Revisiting Iraq's Turmoil through the Eyes of a Woman Warrior

Director Halkawt Mustafa’s new film, No Paradise if You Are Killed by a Woman, represents a critical evolution in his exploration of modern Iraq. Following the success of his documentary Hiding Saddam Hussein, which captured the harrowing tale of Saddam’s evasion from U.S. forces, Mustafa shifts focus to a decade later, when the rise of ISIS further deepened the nation’s wounds. The film marks a poignant narrative shift, bringing forth the story of a Kurdish-Norwegian female sniper, a character shaped by the violence she once escaped and the vengeance that drives her return to Mosul.

Mustafa’s approach to storytelling blends personal trauma with broader historical context, drawing inspiration from real-life heroes, such as Nobel Peace laureate Nadia Murad, who endured the atrocities of the 2014 Yazidi genocide. The film stands as a tribute not only to Murad’s bravery but also to all women who stood up to ISIS, refusing to succumb to the shadows of oppression. By focusing on the personal journey of one woman, Mustafa adds emotional weight to the otherwise politically charged narrative of ISIS’s brutality.

The decision to center the story on a female protagonist is an important narrative choice, shedding light on the significant yet often overlooked role women have played in resisting extremist forces. The casting of Avan Jamal, a rising star from the Kurdish community, alongside veteran Norwegian actor Thorbjørn Harr, further ensures that the film will resonate on both a cultural and international level. As Mustafa himself states, this film is a "poetic portrait"—a fitting description given the deeply personal and universally resonant themes it explores.

While the film is still in post-production, it has already garnered international interest, with talks of distribution underway. As Mustafa’s previous documentary proved, his work has the potential to transcend borders, opening dialogues on topics that remain at the forefront of global conflict. The continuation of his exploration of Iraq’s modern history through the lens of those most affected promises to offer a vital perspective on the complexities of warfare, survival, and the enduring human spirit.

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• ‘Hiding Saddam Hussein’ Director Unveils Feature ‘No Paradise if You Are Killed by a Woman,’ About Female Sniper Who Takes on ISIS (EXCLUSIVE)