Kurdish-Finnish Film “Earth Song” Explores Family Secrets and Reconciliation

A new film titled Earth Song, directed by Turkish filmmaker Erol Mintaş, is set to explore the intricate dynamics of family, memory, and reconciliation. The film will make its world premiere in the Harbour section of the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) on January 30, 2024.

The narrative follows Rojîn, portrayed by Dilan Gwyn, a Kurdish woman who has spent most of her life in Finland. As a dedicated anaesthesiologist, she has committed herself to humanitarian efforts, often at the expense of her family relationships. This dedication has strained her bond with her 12-year-old daughter Azad, played by Zenan Tünc, and created tension in her marriage with Ferhat (performed by Feyyaz Duman).

Unbeknownst to Azad, she is adopted, a revelation that complicates the family’s already tumultuous dynamic. When Rojîn’s father Nizam (played by Ali Seçkiner Alıcı) visits from Sweden, he discloses a long-held family secret stemming from the military coup in Turkey in September 1980. This unexpected revelation prompts Rojîn to embark on a journey to Kurdistan, seeking to understand her origins and mend her fractured relationship with Azad.

Exploring Themes of Dispossession and Identity

“Earth Song is a resonant drama reflecting on the Kurdish experience of dispossession and exile,”

the festival’s website states. The film’s title draws inspiration from Langston Hughes’s poem “An Earth Song,” which speaks to themes of renewal and hope. Mintaş emphasizes that while the film may be rooted in the Kurdish and Turkish experiences, it also resonates with broader European contexts, particularly concerning Finland. “I always tried to stay with the characters,” Mintaş explains. “Their journeys, their needs, and the things they are trying to understand about themselves are at the film’s core.”

The project is produced by Mete Sasioglu and Mintaş under the Finnish production company Sons of Lumière, in collaboration with Jamedia Production in Finland and Elemag Pictures in Germany. Sasioglu highlights the film’s overarching message: “The story spans three generations, all on a journey toward truth and reconciliation. It emphasizes the importance of telling the truth, even when it is very difficult.”

A Cinematic Journey of Hard Truths

According to Sasioglu, the family portrayed in Earth Song serves as a reflection for viewers worldwide, regardless of language or culture. “I hope and believe that the family portrayed in the film will offer an opportunity for reflection to people all over the world,” he says.

The recently released trailer for Earth Song provides a glimpse into the family’s secrets and the emotional journey awaiting them. It invites viewers to join in a cinematic exploration of challenging truths and the path toward reconciliation.

As the film prepares for its premiere, it is already generating interest for its poignant exploration of personal and collective histories. The blend of family drama with broader cultural themes positions Earth Song as a significant work within contemporary cinema, promising an engaging narrative that resonates with audiences across diverse backgrounds.