Recently, filming wrapped up in the Netherlands for the movie Jamal, which tells the story of a Kurdish man discovering his ancestral ties to the ancient Sumerians. The director, Philip Rashid, a well-known Dutch actor and filmmaker, drew inspiration from his late father, Professor Jamal Ahmad Rashid, a historian who specialized in Kurdish heritage.
The film follows a young Kurdish man named Jamal, who grows up in Amsterdam’s Bijlmer district. Feeling out of place, he finds solace in a shawarma shop, where a mythical Sumerian figure guides him through his past. Interestingly, the dialogue mixes Kurdish, Sumerian, and Dutch to reflect the protagonist’s journey.
Philip Rashid explained that he wrote the script 15 years ago but waited for the right moment to produce it. He emphasized that this project honors his father’s legacy while introducing Kurdish history to a global audience. Moreover, the film blends realism with magical elements, making it unique in Kurdish diaspora storytelling.
When asked why he chose Dutch as the primary language, Rashid clarified that while the film is set in the Netherlands, it highlights Kurdish and Sumerian voices. He also shared that his father always encouraged him to tell Kurdish stories instead of focusing solely on Western media.
This film marks Rashid’s first major project about his roots. He admitted that losing his father during the ISIS conflict made this work even more personal. Now, through cinema, he hopes to preserve his father’s memory and educate the world about Kurdish history.
Ultimately, Jamal aims to remind audiences that Kurds have a deep, often overlooked connection to ancient civilizations. The film will soon premiere, offering a fresh perspective on identity and heritage.