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A KurdISh Documentary

Say NO to Extremism!

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A KurdISh Documentary

A KurdISh Documentary

A KurdISh Documentary

A KurdISh Documentary

A KurdISh Documentary

Say NO to Extremism!

Say NO to Extremism!

Say NO to Extremism!

Say NO to Extremism!

Bud Wichers
Bud Wichers
Bud Wichers
Bud Wichers
1 Campaign |
Zutphen, Netherlands
$960 USD $960 USD 18 backers
5% of $18,228 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

These girls are fighting the Islamic State in their own backyard. Their weapons aren't top of the line, and they aren’t professionally trained fighters. However, they are people who want to protect their country from Al-Qaeda and Islamic State terrorists; terrorists who are threatening both their freedom and yours.




Bud Wichers serves as a journalist for more than 10 years. (photo: Celine van Doormalen)

THESE YOUNG GIRLS HAVE TO BE BRAVE

 "As a journalist, I want to understand the layers of a conflict, and tell the stories of the real people behind them. In making a documentary on the young Kurdish fighters at the front lines of the battle against the Islamic State in I hope to be able to shine a light on what the battle really means for the people who are fighting it. I want to be able to share with you the stories of the courageous men and women on the front lines: how they deal with the day to day challenges of living and fighting a conflict on our behalf." - Bud Wichers

Their love for their fellow human beings around the world keeps them fighting. (photo: Alaa Abdulfatah)

Bud Wichers and Ahmad Dlshad with Peshmerga soldiers near the city of Mosul.

Learn who these people are and the strength they exude as they put their dreams on hold to protect freedom for all of us.

What does freedom mean to you?

For most people, freedom is a natural right. You are not born with the intention of defending your every breath. Rather, you are protected by your parents, your other family members, your friends, your mentors, and your government officials. With all these lines of defense, it is nearly impossible to think of the possibility that one day that freedom could be taken away. But it can, and if we don’t act quickly, it will.

With the recent Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris and the Lindt Cafe attack in Sydney still fresh in our minds, the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda have taken advantage of this panic and chaos by disseminating a new video throughout the Internet that threatens cities across Europa and other parts of the world. In response, world leaders gathered in France and vowed tough measures against those who threaten freedom in any way.

We expect drones, high-tech computer systems, and well-trained soldiers in heavy military gear to be used against the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda to protect our loved ones. But who are the people that are actually fighting on the frontline of the war against terrorism? And why are they sacrificing their futures for us?

What if you had to leave everything you knew and everyone you loved right now to fight a war that was threatening worldwide freedoms?

Picture a world where you have to put your dreams on hold for the greater good. In this scenario, the terrorists aren’t on the other side of the world, but walking the streets where you live. They’re your neighbors, business owners, your own government officials. When an issue arises in a community, individuals are instructed to call police or city officials. What happens when those “protective” government bodies are against you? How can you protect yourself and your family from that imminent danger? You’re not a trained soldier, but you are expected to act like one.

Would you put your dreams on hold to fight?

Imagine what it would feel like to hear the sound of machine guns firing and bombs detonating right outside your windows at night. You can smell the smoke and gun powder as you hear screams from men, women and children. You see horrors you’ll never be able to escape from for as long as you shall live… if you’re lucky enough to live. Would you stand to the side and let others fight a war that is right on your doorstep? Or would you take charge and do what is best for yourself and your country?

What would you do if the enemy was in your backyard?

Too many people around the world believe terrorists live in lands far, far away; that a terrorist attack, or even threat, will never occur in their city or state. They believe that these dangerous individuals are being fought by our governments and military to keep us safe at night. They believe that war isn't being fought in our backyard; instead, they like to believe it is being fought with tanks and heavy artillery. They believe that the good guys outnumber the bad guys and there is no way we can lose.

But what if the bad guys are your neighbors? What if the bad guys are capable of winning? Do you just sit by and let militaries from foreign lands fight battles happening on your turf, or do you stand up to fight—to protect yourself, your spouse, your children, and your country?

What would you do if you were them?

These are the stories of individuals who were seemingly just like you and I. These individuals had normal lives that were destroyed in the blink of an eye. These individuals are fighting the Islamic State in their own back yard; not because they want to, but because they have to. Their lives used to include free-time and various luxuries, but now their lives are focused on only one thing: survival. The weapons they use are not exquisite and they are not trained military personnel. However, these brave homegrown soldiers are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their country from terrorists; terrorists who are threating both their freedom and yours. Fight for them as they have fought for you.

YOUR UNDERSTANDING IS AT STAKE

I want to film this and bring it viewers who are hungry to learn what is going on, in places we can not see. I want to show the comradeship, authenticity and tension that is in Iraq and Syria and shed light onto a very dark situation.!  As little as € 17.500 gets us on our way to filming. Empower us to make this vision a reality with a donation to this project today! 


A Kurdish soldier at the frontline near Kirkuk. 

People, the same as you and me, whose reality has been altered forever by the conflict and war that engulfs them.

In this documentary we are taking you to the world of fighting as we follow the experiences of the soldiers on the frontlines. How do they deal with daily problems? Old weapons, extreme weather, inadequate sleep, a lack of training and even nature cause a struggle for the soldiers every day. During our research, we found that a large part of the Kurdish fighters get wounded by scorpions and other vermin. We will take a look at how the boys and girls at the frontlines make these horrible situations as pleasant as possible. We can't say yet whether or not there is a real solution to the fight against the IS, but we want to give the world a new vision and new ideas through our documentary.

A Kurdish soldier feeding a dog. 

Kurdish children sit outside tents in a refugee camp in the town of Suruc.  (Photo: Alaa Abdulfatah)

Funding More than a Project 

Target group: Those who are interested and who question the fight against IS. People who want to know what the forces really get out of the Western support in the war against IS.

Exhibition: After the post-production we will offer the documentary at national and international media parties and send it to different film festivals. Already several film festivals around the world are interested in showing the documentary.

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

Your generous funding will help me get things started in order to realize our film. It will assist me with the cost of further development, labor, and crew for the first film. More importantly, you get the chance to be a part of this unique experience.

Where will your hard earned money go to?

How can we expect you to donate something, if I don't do my part? We want all your hard earned money to go to the story, so I've invested in video equipment. Your money will go to: travel expenses, security expenses, post-production costs and medical insurance. If you invest 100 euros or more into the project, we will send you a detailed budget that outlines the specific purchases we intend on making.

Help us spread the word!

The documentary needs pledging but, above all, it needs your attention and interest! If you love this idea as much as I do then please take a moment to click on one of the social media buttons. Help me spread the word and get things started! If you have questions, please send an email to: info@humintmedia.net


Berfin symbolises so many Kurds trapped in the war against IS.  (Photo: Alaa Abdulfatah)

ENVISION THIS…

SUPPORT US AND YOU CAN TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY "I MADE THIS DOCUMENTARY HAPPEN"!



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Supporter of Peace

Currency Conversion $1 USD
€1 EUR
€ 1– Thank you so much for taking the time to support this project. Ever cent counts! You can tell your friends and family "I made this documentary happen"!
1 claimed

Diplomat of Peace

Currency Conversion $10 USD
€10 EUR
€ 10 – An exclusive full color photo (10 x 15 cm) from the documentary and a special certificate sent via e-mail.
1 claimed

Peace Keeper

Currency Conversion $26 USD
€25 EUR
€ 25 – The 10-euro package PLUS an exclusive documentary DVD with 15 minutes bonus material.
1 claimed

Monitoring Head

Currency Conversion $52 USD
€50 EUR
€ 50 – The 25-euro package PLUS your name under “Special Thanks” in the credits.
0 claimed

Delegate Member

Currency Conversion $104 USD
€100 EUR
€ 100 – Your name in the credits as “Partner” PLUS 2 tickets to the big opening and a souvenir from Koerdistan.
2 claimed

Super Delegate Member

Currency Conversion $260 USD
€250 EUR
€ 250 – The 100-euro package but in place of the souvenir a quote of yours will be in the documentary (recording location will be discussed later) PLUS a lunch before the big opening with the filmmakers, VIPS, and other generous people.
0 claimed

Special Envoy

Currency Conversion $521 USD
€500 EUR
€ 500 – The 250-euro package PLUS a 1-minute pitch for your LinkedIn or Facebook account.
0 claimed

Under-Secretary General

Currency Conversion $1,042 USD
€1,000 EUR
€ 1000 – The 500-euro package (with your name in the credits as “Associate Producer” and 3 VIP-tickets for the opening), a 1-day video workshop, an introduction to “War journalism,” and the chance to be in the montage of the documentary for a day.
0 claimed

Secretary General

Currency Conversion $5,208 USD
€5,000 EUR
€ 5000 – Online billboard sponsoring (where possible), narration-of-product sponsoring (if relevant and discussed by the filmmakers) PLUS your name in the credits as “Senior Producer,” a 2-day video workshop, an introduction to “War journalism,” 10 VIP tickets for the opening or a private screening, a 5-8 minute video about your life, company, or organization (maximum of 4-day part recordings and 1-day montage) and the chance to be at the montage of the documentary for a day.
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