Sidik en de panter

"The mountains are the Kurds' only friends," Sidik says. In the rugged mountain landscape of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, he hunts for evidence of the presence of the Persian leopard. Sidik is convinced that it has returned to the area after a long period of war and destruction. If the creature were actually spotted here, the entire area would be classified as a protected nature reserve. Finally, his homeland would be protected.

As he travels through the untamed mountains, Sidik meets locals, poachers, war widows and survivors. They share memories; he records their stories in his notebook. A conversation with a younger compatriot with a desire to leave for Europe reveals the tension between different generations, showing that not everyone is as attached to their roots as Sidik. Sidik's love of the region is apparent in all the details of this beautiful and inspiring visual ode to perseverance and peaceful patriotism.