International Competition

Imad's Childhood

Zahavi Sanjavi
Screening time  
05.04. / Tuesday, 21:00 - 23:00 Theatre 5 Ticket
06.04. / Wednesday, 16:00 - 18:00 Theatre 3 Ticket
10.04. / Sunday, 18:00 - 20:00 Theatre 3  
10.04. / Sunday, 22:00 - 00:00 Theatre 2  

Imad, a five-year-old Yazidi child, is released from ISIS captivity after two and a half years. During this time, ISIS has brainwashed Imad and he considers himself one of the ISIS fighters. His eyes still emanate innocence, but he shows no other feelings than hatred for his mother and resentment towards those around him. On top of everything - Imad speaks only Arabic, which prevents him from communicating directly with those closest to him. Will Imad's family be able to help him overcome his trauma and become again the child he once was? Director Sanjavi followed the traumatized family for several years in its efforts to normalize their lives.

Zahavisanjavi

Zahavi Sanjavi

Zahavi Sanjavi was born in 1967 in Arbil, Kurdistan, Iraq. Since 1990 he lives in Sweden. Zahavi pursued his studies in the field of scriptwriting and filmmaking at All-Russian State University of Cinematography in Moscow. Within nine years he worked for TV in Iraqi Kurdistan. Zahavi works in Sweden on his documentary and feature films as director, scriptwriter and producer.

General sponsor

Imads barndom

Latvia, Sweden, Iraq
2021, 78'

Directed by:
Zahavi Sanjavi

Cinematography:
Heshmatolla Narenji

Edited by:
Eva Hillström

Music:
Katharina Nuttall

Producer:
Zahavi Sanjavi

Produced by:
AVB Production

Festivals & Awards:

Tempo Documentary: Best Documentary (2021)
DocAviv FF (2021)
Golden Apricot Yerevan IFF (2021)
HotDocs (2021)

Contact:

Swedish Film Institute
Sara Rüster
sara.ruster@filminstitutet.se