Iraqi Kurdistan is an expansive look into the daily lives of the Kurdish people of northern Iraq. These images provide an alternative perspective on a changing culture, one different from the destruction and discord that dominates so much media coverage of the region.
Here are policemen seated on the floor, eating lunch and laughing, old men taking care of their fields and young girls celebrating at a suburban birthday party.
There is also hardship and tribulation, to be sure; the Iraqi Kurds endured generations of brutality under Saddam Hussein. His genocidal campaigns cost close to 200,000 lives. But as Iraqi Kurdistan documents, the region is mostly peaceful today. The people enjoy more autonomy and women's rights continue to grow stronger.
Documented by photojournalist Ed Kashi during a seven-week stay in 2005, the photographs of Iraqi Kurdistan are presented in flipbook-style animation; gradual changes between still images simulate motion. The thousands of images that comprise this project are as striking as they are bountiful.
Iraqi Kurdistan is an expansive look into the lives of the Kurdish people of northern Iraq. These images provide an alternative perspective on a changing culture, one different from the discord that dominates so much media coverage of the region.
Note: Not all comments will be posted due to space and time constraints.
Andy -- Colorado Springs, CO USA
Sep 2, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I love everything about this piece of work... the way it was put together with thousands of stills, the music, and taking me to another part of the world. I am sorry that Nawzad (Commentator from May 15, 2007) may never be able to see a people wanting to right that which was wrong, nor be able to forgive. My life may not see tragedy as Nawzad has seen, but I know the ultimate power of forgiveness.
Serkeft -- Duhok, Kurdistan
Jul 22, 2008 at 12:54 PM
It's pleasure to see this work of Ed Kashi to viewing us how a kurdish nation under growing, and both economic growth, democratic autonumi and not least the social set. Powerfulle presention.
Mimi M. -- Paris, France
Jul 8, 2008 at 1:39 PM
What a truly amazing piece of work. I have spoken to so many Kurds and whenever they speak about their homeland their eyes sparkle and their pride can be seen all over their faces. When I see this I know why. Kurdistan is so beautiful - their people, culture and land are so welcoming.
Kelly -- New York, NY
May 22, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to see this beautiful work. Thank you.
Chaz Mangus -- Las Vegas, NV
May 7, 2008 at 7:16 PM
A looking glass into a distant world.
Sara R. -- Las Vegas, Nevada
May 4, 2008 at 10:46 PM
This is truly beautiful. It is inspiring from a photographical standpoint, and also from a humanitarian point of view. It really is indescribable. The resiliency of the Kurdish people is astounding. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to see this.
Kamaran Kurd -- Nashville, TN, USA
Mar 5, 2008 at 11:37 PM
I am from Sulaimany city in Iraqi Kurdistan and living in USA in the past 8 years. I have not seen my homeland since 1999 and as I observed on these beautiful pictures and movie clips, my city has been expanding and advancing. Ed Kashi portraits the reality of everyday life in Iraqi Kurdistan that is very similar to the rest of the places in the world. People are enjoying their lives despite the fact that they have shortages of basic human rights such as electricity, clean water, and employment. Thanks for informing the rest of us about the forgetting land of Kurds. of Kurds.
Lander A. -- Donostia-San Sebastian, Basque Country
Dec 17, 2007 at 4:23 PM
Superb work. Incredibly engaging. I love it. Congratulations.
Sarbask Martin -- Plano, Texas
Nov 24, 2007 at 11:17 PM
The colorful mosiac garden of humanity would be less amazing if it did not have the masterpiece pictures of Ed Kashi on Kurdistan, A picture is worth a thousand words. Your pictures speak.
David Romano -- Memphis, Tn USA
Oct 6, 2007 at 2:32 PM
My first trip to Iraqi Kurdistan was in the summer of '94, and the latest was when I lived in Suleimaniya in 2003-2004. I've not seen anything that captured the feel of the place better than this series of photos -- thank you for bringing back some fond memories!
Peter Stitt -- Hull, Yorkshire, England
Sep 30, 2007 at 3:10 PM
What a beautiful piece of work. I cried as I watched because, having been involved with the Kurdish people for some time, I am always impressed by the hospitality, warmth and humour of the people as well as their fiercely independent nature. These qualities come across in this film.I support an independent Kurdistan 100% and I dream of the day when Kurdistan's four stolen regions are reunited in one democratic state. I am Scottish but I love Kurdistan as I do my homeland. God bless Kurdistan and thank you for the love and friendship your children have shown me, here in Britain and also in Northern Kurdistan. Biji Kurdistan....
Ali AlKurdi -- Halifax - Canada
Sep 28, 2007 at 1:34 PM
A professional presentation of Kurdish life. With the development and progress Kurdistan is undergoing at present, I am sure that the Kurdish people will catch up with what they have lost due to the suppressing policy of the Bath regime. Long live Kurdistan, Long live Kurds and well done Media Storm.
xwebin -- nisebin, North Kurdistan (some call it Turkey Kurdistan)
Jul 10, 2007 at 9:43 PM
I want to thank everybody who contributed to the production of this suberb presentation. It gave me the chance to have a close look into the daily life in South Kurdistan. We Kurds should let the world know who we are and what we have suffered through such kinds of productions. To succeed in the fight for our rights we have to get support from non-Kurds. Most nations are not aware of even the existance of a nation called Kurds. Every member of the Kurdish nation should do their best to promote Kurdish interests. Azadi nezike.
Haci Ulucesme -- Henryetta, OK, USA
Jun 25, 2007 at 11:36 AM
We do not forget but we forgive.Even though the great Democracy from West has closed their eyes on the Kurdish suffering, does not mean we have the right to judge (hate) them. God alone has the right to do that.We are still thankfull for the liberation of Iraq especially Kurdistan. We hope to our our people united one day. And we hope to be called Kurds, and not Turkish Kurds, Syrian Kurds, Iraqi Kurds, or Iranian KUrds. NO.We want to be called KURDS.Thank you again for the liberation.
Gabriel Meyer -- Torrevieja, Spain
Jun 12, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Superb work. The Kurdish people deserve more articles like this one to get known by the rest of the world. There is an unique strenght hidden in the Kurdish people I have seen in Erbil. I very much would like to be there when this splendid inner force comes out and becomes real. Kurdistan lives in peace today and any documentary that shows reality is more than welcome. All of the Kurdish people that I have met, are wonderlful, gentle, polite and very much genuine people willing to share their magniificent history.I wish to all of them the best future possible.
Nawzad -- Erbil, Kurdistan of Iraq
May 15, 2007 at 3:29 PM
Yes, nice work. But the sad thing is people seem to forget that USA had a big role in the Kurdish suffering, also UK had the same bad role. Iraq now suffers because of USA and their lies, even we Kurds may not get out of it safe.
Gunhan Erdogan -- Kent, England
May 9, 2007 at 1:51 PM
I thank you Ed, for an accurate bite-sized edition of my people. I wish there were more pieces so we could all eventually have a feast. Keep up the good work.
Todd Fredricks -- Amesville, OH, USA
Apr 24, 2007 at 3:02 PM
This brought back the very fond memories that I have of traveling in the Kurdish regions and the hospitality shown to me by many great Kurds. This is a story that sadly is not shown to the US people and one that needs to be shown in the manner and quality that you have done here. Thanks!
Bakhtiar Dargali -- Dallas, Texas, USA
Apr 21, 2007 at 12:36 PM
Ed Kashi, thanks for being the splendid picture of the majestic Kurdistan and the Kurdish people to the attention of the people of the world. The Kurds deserve the attention from the hell they went through by Iraq's genocide and the oppression they still endure at the hands of their tormentor occupiers countries in the region. Someday all of Kurdistan will truely be free and there in the streets of her capital, Kirkuk, we will name a street Kashi avenue for his amazing work to serve the humanity.
Masoud -- Kuala Lumpur
Apr 20, 2007 at 5:36 AM
Really good photo. It gives us good image of Iraqi Kurdistan to the people that never saw and see Kurdistan. Thanks for your great work.
Sadradeen Ameen -- Lancaster, PA, USA
Apr 6, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Great work, thank you Mr. Kashi.
Shiler -- Winnapeg
Mar 29, 2007 at 5:03 PM
This video is very sad but but it has to much guns.
Igor -- Serbia
Mar 25, 2007 at 1:29 AM
Surely this was a magnificent job but what most of the viewers fail to realize is the extent of relative poverty due to the economic divide between the peasantry and the governing body of Iraq. Do not just look at the pictures, analyze them. Do not only look at the colors, associate them with the quality of life that exists in certain regions of the world. Congratulations to Ed Kashi for taking such a risk in an attempt of opening some people's eyes.
Johanne -- France, USA
Mar 21, 2007 at 12:08 AM
I love this video (Iraqi...) the music, the way the video has been made! Good job! I really like it.
Patryk Rebisz -- New York, NY, USA
Mar 16, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Having done similar work in the past -- a flip-book style short
film Between You and Me I have to say that I
found your way of achieving the results refreshing. In the end you
don't concentrate on movement but still choose to talk about images
stopping momentarily to the music beats but also because
there is something powerful in that particular image.
Dana Zahir -- Sulaimaniya, Iraq
Mar 15, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Love your site, and your photos.
Hugh Carey -- Missoula, MT, USA
Mar 10, 2007 at 9:54 PM
It is far the best photo story with multimedia tools I have ever seen! I love to watch how Ed Kashi think while he shoots and I learn so much about his shooting style, while watching the flipbook, to get the best journalistic images. Well done!!
Jeremy Cooper -- Auckland, New Zealand
Feb 23, 2007 at 3:58 AM
An amazing video with a beautiful message of a nation that is coming together while a lot of the surrounding nations are in turmoil. This video increases my desire to go. Simply juana! May the people come to know about the God that wants to have a relationship with them!
Afrini Alan -- London, England
Jan 20, 2007 at 5:07 PM
Amazing presentation well done, brilliant and powerful magnificent. Iraqi Kurdistan is by far the most impressive audio slide show that I have seen about our kurdish people. Actually I found myself wanting to be there, to hug the children, to firmly shake the hands of the men, to bow my head and smile at the Kurdish women, to break bread with them and share a meal, to express my hope for their country and their beautiful land, and to cry at their feet for what they have endured. I love Kurdland and Biji Kurdland. Spas.
Marc PoKempner -- Chicago, IL, USA
Jan 18, 2007 at 9:13 PM
Interesting technique, but why not shoot video? Wish there were more great still moments - or a way to accurrately stop the flow on a single image. Also - who are these people?? What is going on? There's clearly a narrative, but it's not accessible!
Alan Magayne-Roshak -- Milwaukee, WI, USA
Jan 6, 2007 at 2:18 PM
This did nothing for me. I wanted to get a good look at the images, but they kept changing. I got no impression of "blurring between propaganda and daily struggle." It just seemed like a typical music video with flashy, annoying editing and the message, "look at all the cool tools we can play around with".
Paul Whitten -- Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Dec 29, 2006 at 8:23 PM
I saw this story on MSNBC.com, so I clicked.
I sat spellbound as this masterful piece of creative work unfolded.
And I am no pushover; a lover of fine films, I don't just stand up
and applaud for the sake of it.
The rhythm of the images and the music is a powerful combination.
I found myself wanting to be there, to hug the children, to firmly
shake the hands of the men, to bow my head and smile at the
Kurdish women, to break bread with them and share a meal,
to express my hope for their country and their beautiful land,
and to cry at their feet for what they have endured.
One of my brothers is currently stationed in Iraq. Your video tells a
story of success that, as far as I can tell, has been neglected in the
press. It makes me proud that our presence there has been a benefit
to the Kurdish people. I hope they will continue to regain their strength,
their identity, and their vitality.
Thank you for this wonderful journey to the other side of the world.
Jan Sonnenmair -- Portland, OR, USA
Dec 13, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Bravo!
Paulino Michelazzo -- Sao Paulo, Brazil
Dec 11, 2006 at 11:23 PM
Wow! Nice pictures, including a girl with a brazilian t-shirt at the birthday party. We're on the world :) Best!
Gunnar Mjaugedal -- Oslo, Norway
Dec 9, 2006 at 3:20 PM
Wow!!!!!
Nick Wilcox-Brown -- Bristol, UK
Dec 8, 2006 at 12:26 AM
Wasn't sure for a start, but quickly convinced. What a brilliant way of showing such a magnificent body of work to a wide audience.Thank you - a privilege to be able to see this.
Dario Silva -- Braga - Portugal
Dec 6, 2006 at 10:25 PM
Couldn't close my window. The story and the way is it told kept me here. Thank you for sharing, Dariio Silva
Mike Peyzner -- San Francisco, CA, USA
Dec 6, 2006 at 8:00 PM
This is an amazing body of work. Thank you!
Gord Weber -- Ottawa, Canada
Dec 6, 2006 at 8:28 AM
Wicked images - amazing presentation.
Stefan Sobotta -- Goslar, Germany
Dec 6, 2006 at 4:59 AM
Nice MTV-Style. But where's the information? Who are the people? What are they doing? A more "journalistic" presentation would have done more for the viewer.
Tudor Barker -- Dorchester, Dorset, UK
Dec 5, 2006 at 6:26 PM
An amazing piece of art, as well as being moving and showing that life is pretty much the same for all of us - except here in the UK - we don't have the guards and checkpoints. Thank you so much for producing such a informative and special composite. I'm just so impressed - words fail me. My best regards, Tudor
Kenny Wood -- Scotland
Dec 5, 2006 at 4:06 PM
Just watched Iraqi Kurdistan. Superb! Regards, Kenny
Luca -- Bologna, Italy
Dec 4, 2006 at 6:29 AM
Amazing, outstanding, fantastic.
Peggy Frankl -- North Augusta, SC
Dec 4, 2006 at 2:58 AM
Thank you for this piece of work! It's great to see some of the people in Iraq benifittiing from the removal of saddam.
Paul Bouboutsis -- Fort Atkinson, WI, USA
Dec 2, 2006 at 11:16 AM
Greetings. Thanks for this brilliant and powerful film. Exquisite and hopeful.
Chris Orum -- Neptune Beach, Florida, USA
Dec 1, 2006 at 10:27 PM
This was beautiful...thank you!
Roy Abou Assaly -- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Dec 1, 2006 at 5:22 PM
Wow. Great stuff. The music and the photos are very well put together.
Lillian Sizemore -- San Francisco, CA, USA
Nov 30, 2006 at 5:29 PM
You have done it again Ed and Brian. You have a great collaboration. I think the flip book style is a fascinating way to engage digital photography and also gives a sense of frames and context before you find "the shot". The music, timing, and editing were great. Entertaining, educational, informative and beautiful. Thanks, Lillian Sizemore, Fiftycrows
Adam Kufeld -- Comptche, CA, USA
Nov 30, 2006 at 3:11 PM
Wonderful images, powerful, sad and joyus. But not very imformative. A few lines with each group of photos would have greatly enhanced the over all experience and understanding of a very unknow yet important part of the world. I'm refuring to Ed Kashi's Kurdistan.
Jen Friedberg -- Bedford, TX, USA
Nov 30, 2006 at 1:36 PM
What a beautiful piece of visual journalism. I'm sending this out to our photo staff. What a powerful way to tell a story.- Jen Friedberg, Multimedia Producer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Francis Vachon -- Quebec City, Canada
Nov 30, 2006 at 9:35 AM
Iraqi Kurdistan is by far the most impressive audio slide that I have seen.
I sat spellbound as this masterful piece of creative work unfolded. And I am no pushover; a lover of fine films, I don't just stand up and applaud for the sake of it.
The rhythm of the images and the music is a powerful combination.
I found myself wanting to be there, to hug the children, to firmly shake the hands of the men, to bow my head and smile at the Kurdish women, to break bread with them and share a meal, to express my hope for their country and their beautiful land, and to cry at their feet for what they have endured.
One of my brothers is currently stationed in Iraq. Your video tells a story of success that, as far as I can tell, has been neglected in the press. It makes me proud that our presence there has been a benefit to the Kurdish people. I hope they will continue to regain their strength, their identity, and their vitality.
Thank you for this wonderful journey to the other side of the world.