When her mother tragically dies in the forest on the Polish‐Belarusian border, 16‐year‐old Kurdish girl Runa must quickly grow up to take care of her four younger brothers and a helpless, depressed father. The family deals with trauma in the refugee camp and slowly try to establish a new life in Poland.

Runa’s greatest fear is being forced to return to Iraq, where Kurds face the threat of ISIS. But just as her dream of going back to school comes true, another threat appears – the threat of deportation. Runa’s escape from everyday problems is a sketchbook filled with drawings that express what she feels. Gradually, they come to life.

Unusually for an observational documentary, the film artfully weaves animated sequences throughout, and through Runa’s eyes we see the human side to a discussion that is too often political.

Talking Heads (Gadajace Glowy), dir. Krzysztof Kieslowski | Poland | 14 mins | 1979

In this seminal Polish documentary short by the master Krzysztof Kieslowski, basic existential questions are asked in the form of a street survey probe: Who are you? What is most important to you? What would you like?

This short film will screen before Silent Trees.

If you have purchased a Delegate Pass for Docs Ireland, reserve your spot here.