The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Red Carpet Premiere of Paramount+’s ‘Wolf Pack’

      January 23, 2023

      Entertainment

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Events

      On The Scene: Dolphland Pop-Up Museum Cocktail Reception

      January 22, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Dorothy Wang Talks ‘Bling Empire’ NY

      January 20, 2023

      Film

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Film

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      Film

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Film

      Exclusive: Finn Wolfhard, Jesse Eisenberg and More Talk When You Finish Saving The…

      January 19, 2023

      The Kontenders

      KnockturnaLIST: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2022

      December 30, 2022

      The Kontenders

      BHFF Review: ‘Harbinger’ COVID Horror At Its Most Chilling

      November 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022: Aftersun

      October 7, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022 Opening Night: White Noise

      October 7, 2022

      Theater

      Theater Review: Death of a Salesmen

      December 27, 2022

      Theater

      Review: Life Imitates Art in “The Collaboration”

      December 22, 2022

      Theater

      Review: “Some Like it Hot” is Blazing on Broadway

      December 19, 2022

      Theater

      The Janes: A story of power and resilience.

      December 16, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      TV

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      TV

      ‘The Last of Us’ Season 1, Episode 2 Review

      January 23, 2023

      TV

      Netflix and Michael Kors Host Red Carpet Celebration For Launch of ‘Bling Empire…

      January 20, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Entertainment

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Entertainment

      Swingers NoMad Brings A New Type Of Mini Golf To NYC

      January 24, 2023

      Entertainment

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      This Weekend: Nina Kraviz, Magdalena, Kevin de Vries and KAS:ST Launch Teksupport and…

      January 19, 2023

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Events

      Carnegie Hall Presents A Night of Inspiration

      December 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      City Girls and Flo Milli Perform at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop to Celebrate the…

      November 19, 2022

      News

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      News

      Interview With Musician Meg Baird

      January 25, 2023

      News

      Wine And Spirites Tasting and Interview With Owner Debbie Ellen Jones, Of Ellen’s…

      December 28, 2022

      News

      Interview With Chef, Matt Abdoo, at Zippo’s Brand Dinner in NYC!

      December 13, 2022

      Music

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Music

      Music with a Message – White Dove

      January 26, 2023

      Music

      80purppp Performs Latest Single “Uni” in New York City

      January 25, 2023

      Music

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      The New York EDITION Unveils 2022 Christmas Tree From Sarah Coleman

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      Art Review: Jennifer Elster Taps Into Visceral Memory With New Show at The…

      December 13, 2022

      Art

      Anna Delvey Hosts Intimate Art Showcase During Miami Art Basel

      December 12, 2022

      Events

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      MISTER PARADISE ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW MENU WITH SOPHISTICATED, CULINARY-INSPIRED COCKTAILS

      January 24, 2023

      Events

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive Interview with Jason Rembert

      January 19, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Valentine’s Tale Told Through Jewelry

      January 13, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Celebrating a Low Waste, High Impact Holiday With Women & Climate and The…

      December 20, 2022

      Sports

      The American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab: Day 3

      December 19, 2022

      Sports

      ON THE SCENE: DRY CHALLENGE AT SLT TREAD

      December 11, 2022

      Sports

      Chief Brand Officer Rich Orosco Talks All Things LAFC & MLS.

      December 6, 2022

      Sports

      We Chat W/ MLS EVP, Commissioner’s Office & Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion…

      November 22, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Unifying the World with ‘Lest People Forget’

      January 26, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Inside a Travel Workout Day at EVEN Hotel

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Film Review: ‘Sabaya’ Is A Closer Look At Those Who Fight to Rescue Yazidi Women Captured and Sold by ISIS

by Chloë Siller July 31, 2021
by Chloë Siller July 31, 2021 0 comment

Sabaya is a documentary produced by Hogir Hirori and Antonio Russo Merenda, and it is about the fight that two brave men, along with their colleagues and family, face when rescuing Yazidi women from ISIS in Syria.

The close-up and extremely personal moments in the film make the story all the more heartbreaking, especially with the understanding that this is all very real and happening in real-time.

To first understand the premise of the documentary, you need to understand the meaning of the word “sabaya”. “Sabaya” is the name that those of ISIS, or Daesh, give to the Yazidi women and girls that they kidnap from the Iraqi province of Sinjar. The Yazidis are a religious minority that Daesh has continuously tried to wipe out, by both killing the men of their population and forcibly converting the women and children to Islam, who then are made into sex slaves and married to Daesh men. Most of these women are still being kept in the Al-Hol Camp, which is comprised of Daesh, their supporters, and indoctrinated women. Kurdish forces also guard the camp, which is said to be the most dangerous place in the Middle East.

The documentary itself, with the camera being held by Hogir Hirori, follows two incredibly brave men named Mahmud and Ziyad – who are volunteers of the Yazidi Home Center – as they locate and rescue Yazidi women. They are helped by Mahmud’s family, his wife Siham, his mother Zahra, and even his son, as well as a group of female volunteers. Some of the female volunteers are former sabaya that infiltrate the camp and pose as actual sabaya, who then help Mahmud and the others free the Yazidi.

We follow these men and women as they place pictures of young women who have been captured – both past and present – onto a board to physically show the changes in their appearance, as well as every name they are known by, in order to gather all of the information they need for the rescue operations. They operate at night, everyone with a gun ready to be used and a sense of urgency that allows them to move efficiently and quietly. The group doesn’t waste time – they move in, quickly interrogate those who are hiding the Yazidi women, get the girls, and get out. Sometimes they are even followed and shot at as they make their getaway.

These women are then taken to Mahmud’s house, where Siham and Zahra make them feel as welcome and safe as they possibly can. Siham gives the girls food while Zahra gives them bright, colorful new clothes and burns their black niqabs. Even Mahmud’s son joins Zahra, poking the fire with a stick and saying: “I hope God eliminates these clothes!” The young women are given time to recuperate until they are taken back to their families, often walking out into the fields to have space to release their emotions; many of them having the chance to break down in peace in order to truly realize that, ever since Daesh captured them, they are finally safe.

Hogir Hirori doesn’t shy away from the grim and oft times upsetting nature of the ordeal that these women go through; and really, it’s a good thing that he doesn’t. This is a true story that is still happening right now, and though the subject is a difficult one, it is something that people should be aware of as it “only takes one person to make a difference”. People like Mahmud and his family, Ziyad, and the female infiltrators, are trying to do something amazing at a great risk to their own lives, all so that some Yazidi women don’t face the same fate of the rest.

This film is an insightful look into people who give their all to help others and is done in a truly visceral and upfront way. You aren’t able to simply pass it by and continue on as you were – you have to acknowledge that there are things you will face that will make you uncomfortable and that you are better off knowing them, and to then try and do something to help. All-in-all, it’s an incredibly moving story that is both sad and uplifting, and both Hirori and Merenda are talented storytellers.

About the Producers

Hogir Hirori was born in Northern Iraq in 1980 and has been dealing with war and persecution because of his Kurdish ethnicity throughout his life. He fled to Sweden in 1999 and works as an editor, a director, and a freelance photographer. While in Sweden he’s been able to document the fate of the Yazidis, who have lived through various attempted genocides and war. When Daesh instigated a genocide on the Yazidis in 2014, it influenced Hirori to make a documentary trilogy to show how war and death takes a toll on the Yazidi people. Hirori’s other two documentaries in this series are The Girl Who Saved My Life (2016) and The Deminer (2017), with the latter winning the Special Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Antonio Russo Merenda moved to Sweden in 1993 from Italy, where he created and ran Hysteria Film for 15 years. In 2012, he started Ginestra Film and was the Documentary Film Commissioner at the Swedish Film Institute from 2015-2017. He also worked on The Deminer with Hogir Hirori. Some of his other documentaries, such as Searching For Sugar Man (2013) have won Oscars for Best Documentary Feature. His documentaries tend to focus on the many different realities that people around the world face and overcome.

Sabaya is now out in select theatres.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
#documentaryfilmSyriatrue story
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Chloë Siller

Music lover, avid reader of every kind of book, and an arts graduate

previous post
MNFYW: CULT OF INDIVIDUALITY X HVMAN DEBUTS THEIR SS21 COLLECTION
next post
Remi Wolf Celebrates Her New Single “Liquor Store” With A Knock-Out Show

Related Posts

Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

January 27, 2023

80purppp Performs Latest Single “Uni” in New York...

January 25, 2023

On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo...

January 25, 2023

Interview With Musician Meg Baird

January 25, 2023

The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature...

January 25, 2023

Swingers NoMad Brings A New Type Of Mini...

January 24, 2023

MISTER PARADISE ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW MENU WITH SOPHISTICATED,...

January 24, 2023

Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A...

January 24, 2023

Red Carpet Premiere of Paramount+’s ‘Wolf Pack’

January 23, 2023

Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

January 23, 2023

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Digital Cover No. 16

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

Thank you for having us tonight @siriusxm! @champ Thank you for having us tonight @siriusxm!

@champagnepapi live at #TheApollo along with #LilUzi, @21savage #Dipset 

Covered by @bolly.hood
Writer / director / producer @kenyabarris talks ne Writer / director / producer @kenyabarris talks new @netflix film “You People” at a special screening @paristheaternyc
We spoke with @sarahmgellar at the premiere of @wo We spoke with @sarahmgellar at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
We spoke with @chloeroserobertson at the premiere We spoke with @chloeroserobertson at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
We spoke with @armanijackson at the premiere of @w We spoke with @armanijackson at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
We spoke with @tylerlawrencegray at the premiere o We spoke with @tylerlawrencegray at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Red Carpet Premiere of Paramount+’s ‘Wolf Pack’

      January 23, 2023

      Entertainment

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Events

      On The Scene: Dolphland Pop-Up Museum Cocktail Reception

      January 22, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Dorothy Wang Talks ‘Bling Empire’ NY

      January 20, 2023

      Film

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Film

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      Film

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Film

      Exclusive: Finn Wolfhard, Jesse Eisenberg and More Talk When You Finish Saving The…

      January 19, 2023

      The Kontenders

      KnockturnaLIST: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2022

      December 30, 2022

      The Kontenders

      BHFF Review: ‘Harbinger’ COVID Horror At Its Most Chilling

      November 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022: Aftersun

      October 7, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022 Opening Night: White Noise

      October 7, 2022

      Theater

      Theater Review: Death of a Salesmen

      December 27, 2022

      Theater

      Review: Life Imitates Art in “The Collaboration”

      December 22, 2022

      Theater

      Review: “Some Like it Hot” is Blazing on Broadway

      December 19, 2022

      Theater

      The Janes: A story of power and resilience.

      December 16, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      TV

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      TV

      ‘The Last of Us’ Season 1, Episode 2 Review

      January 23, 2023

      TV

      Netflix and Michael Kors Host Red Carpet Celebration For Launch of ‘Bling Empire…

      January 20, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Entertainment

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Entertainment

      Swingers NoMad Brings A New Type Of Mini Golf To NYC

      January 24, 2023

      Entertainment

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      This Weekend: Nina Kraviz, Magdalena, Kevin de Vries and KAS:ST Launch Teksupport and…

      January 19, 2023

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Events

      Carnegie Hall Presents A Night of Inspiration

      December 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      City Girls and Flo Milli Perform at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop to Celebrate the…

      November 19, 2022

      News

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      News

      Interview With Musician Meg Baird

      January 25, 2023

      News

      Wine And Spirites Tasting and Interview With Owner Debbie Ellen Jones, Of Ellen’s…

      December 28, 2022

      News

      Interview With Chef, Matt Abdoo, at Zippo’s Brand Dinner in NYC!

      December 13, 2022

      Music

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Music

      Music with a Message – White Dove

      January 26, 2023

      Music

      80purppp Performs Latest Single “Uni” in New York City

      January 25, 2023

      Music

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      The New York EDITION Unveils 2022 Christmas Tree From Sarah Coleman

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      Art Review: Jennifer Elster Taps Into Visceral Memory With New Show at The…

      December 13, 2022

      Art

      Anna Delvey Hosts Intimate Art Showcase During Miami Art Basel

      December 12, 2022

      Events

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      MISTER PARADISE ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW MENU WITH SOPHISTICATED, CULINARY-INSPIRED COCKTAILS

      January 24, 2023

      Events

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive Interview with Jason Rembert

      January 19, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Valentine’s Tale Told Through Jewelry

      January 13, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Celebrating a Low Waste, High Impact Holiday With Women & Climate and The…

      December 20, 2022

      Sports

      The American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab: Day 3

      December 19, 2022

      Sports

      ON THE SCENE: DRY CHALLENGE AT SLT TREAD

      December 11, 2022

      Sports

      Chief Brand Officer Rich Orosco Talks All Things LAFC & MLS.

      December 6, 2022

      Sports

      We Chat W/ MLS EVP, Commissioner’s Office & Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion…

      November 22, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Unifying the World with ‘Lest People Forget’

      January 26, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Inside a Travel Workout Day at EVEN Hotel

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch