The analysis of "Memories on Stone" by Shawkat Korki

Approaches to the Anfal Genocide 

In the film Memories on Stone by Shawkat Korki, the Anfal genocide and Kurdish identity has been covered. When the film begins, there is an ongoing conversation between members of the cast; they are planning to shoot a real film that will bring out the incidences surrounding Anfal genocide. Far from the imagined films, they are determined to shoot a factual film. The film approaches the Anfal genocide by depicting first hand experiences from the cast. For instance, Hussein Hassan admits that he lost his brother in the Anfal campaign in the fort. Another member of the cast admits that his families were victims of the Anfal genocide. The memories of the incidences spark emotions, especially when Hussein is asked whether he will play his brother who was murdered in the fort, and he responds in the affirmative. The film displays the Anfal genocide as an organized approach by the Saddam leadership to eliminate the Kurds residing in the northern Iraq. They used firing squads, prison camps and chemical attacks against the Kurds. 

Kurdish Identity 

Kurdish identity is depicted in the film, especially through the incidences that depict the Al-Anfal massacre that led to death and suffering of many Iraqi Kurds. The film serves as revenge on behalf of all the Kurdish persons killed cruelly by Saddam. The Kurdish individuals are brought out as persevering individuals, despite being subjected to crimes of human rights violations. They put up with the most inhuman living conditions, and considering most of them were illegally detained, they could not free themselves. The torturous killings leave thousands of men, children and women dead, and they are buried in mass graves. In some instances, entire villages were wiped out, and thousands displayed. The enduring, and tenacity is synonymous with the Kurds, considering that, sections of women and children survive the massacre. The Kurdish identity is boldly displayed in the film through their fighting spirit, despite the fact that, their efforts to fight the militias were frustrated by heavy militias.