Don’t Forget Me portrays the abduction of Yezidi women, highlighting survival, courage, and the fight for global justice.
Inspired by true events, Don’t Forget Me confronts the abduction of thousands of Kurdish Yezidi children and young women by ISIS, a crime whose impact continues to this day. Rather than offering distance or easy conclusions, the film draws audiences into the lived reality of loss, survival, and memory.
The story follows Baran, a Kurdish-American journalist whose search for truth becomes a fight for survival after she is captured by ISIS. Through her experience, the film moves beyond observation and into lived reality, placing viewers inside a world shaped by fear, silence, and endurance.
Those Who Defended Their People
The film recognizes the role of the Kurdish Peshmerga, whose defense of civilians and confrontation with ISIS form part of the broader struggle against terror. Their presence is treated with respect, not glorified, but grounded in reality, reinforcing the film’s commitment to truth and authenticity.
The Peshmerga are portrayed fighting under impossible conditions, often without adequate weapons, relying instead on unity, determination, and an unbreakable spirit. Their story reflects courage born not from power, but from the will to protect their land and their people.
Helly Luv
Written, directed, and led by Helly Luv, a brave and rebellious Kurdish woman known for her work in art and activism, Don’t Forget Me reflects a deeply personal journey. With a global audience reaching millions, Helly Luv has long used her voice to challenge injustice and advocate for women’s rights.
Her 2015 music video Revolution, which directly confronted ISIS, was shared across major international television networks, magazines, radio, and global media platforms. That work earned her recognition as one of Foreign Policy’s 100 Global Thinkers, alongside world leaders, acknowledging her courage in using art as a form of resistance.
That courage came at a cost.
She was targeted for her work, but never silenced.
Beyond the Screen
Beyond music and cinema, Helly Luv’s commitment has always extended into action. During the war, she actively supported refugee camps, orphans, displaced children, and vulnerable communities, while also helping animals affected by conflict. Her work reflects a belief that storytelling carries responsibility, and that visibility must be matched with compassion.
Truth Rooted in Reality
Don’t Forget Me was filmed in real villages destroyed by ISIS, using authentic locations wherever possible. Several of the Kurdish Peshmerga appearing on screen are real fighters, bringing lived experience into the film and grounding the story in truth.
The film will be released in the region at the end of this month, with a premiere on 29 January, followed by international distribution. The official trailer has already surpassed one million views on YouTube, reflecting strong global interest in a story that continues to resonate far beyond borders.
In the face of unimaginable tragedy, Don’t Forget Me challenges viewers to not only reflect on the horrors of the past but to also act in the present. The film calls for global solidarity, urging individuals and governments to stand against the ongoing atrocities faced by vulnerable communities and to advocate for lasting change.Through collective remembrance, there lies hope for a future built on justice, empathy, and a deep commitment to human rights.
A Legacy of Memory
More than a film, Don’t Forget Me stands as a commitment to remembrance. It honors those who fought to protect their people and carries forward the stories of the Kurdish Yezidi children and young women who were taken.
Through cinema, their stories are no longer absent. They are seen, carried forward, and remembered.
Don’t Forget Me will be released in 2026. To learn more about this impactful film, visit the official website, follow the film on Instagram, or explore the IMDb page. Watch the trailer on YouTube.
