The film illustrates life in a village on the border between Iraq and Iran, an eight-year war zone during the 1980s. These people were once suffering from having to relocate to the cities during the war, but now enjoy living on the land they feel closest to. Despite heavy daily tasks, people appreciate being alongside nature, relatives, and friends.

Small Paradise

On March 16th, 1988, Saddam Hussein’s regime led a chemical attack against the people of Halabja that resulted in over 5,000 deaths. Though past trauma often defines the city’s identity, the region also boasts a rich history of pomegranate cultivation, as home to the largest orchards in the region. Red Land starts the pomegranate on its journey from the fields to the markets and dinner tables of Kurdistan, a potent symbol of Halabja’s natural beauty and the resilience of its people.