Zagros Manuchar‘s Whispers (featured image) and Veli Granö’s Circus Tuomento will be screened at the Pärnu International Documentary and Science Film Festival held from October 6–19, 2025 in Pärnu, Estonia.

In Whispers Zagros Manuchar explores the experiences of Kurdish refugees. This work portrays three war refugees and their experiences and memories through photographs. Refugees often have to destroy their family photos for safety reasons when fleeing, and the few surviving pictures are precious to their owners. War, trauma, and health issues persist in these people for a long time, and those who have fled the war often have to undertake significant efforts to feel safe and achieve harmony with their bodies.

The artist addresses the violence of war as well as the diverse experiences of women and children during wartime. Manuchar works closely with his subjects, incorporating their memories, childhood poems, composed songs, family albums, and photographs into his pieces. It is important to him that the subjects are not merely portrayed as refugees whose traumas are displayed, but as independent agents and survivors who actively participate in constructing their portraits. Manuchar spent a significant amount of time before filming to find a respectful and authentic approach to the portrayal. The work is personal for the artist, as he came to Finland as a UN war refugee at the age of four and was born in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The program also features Veli Granö‘s documentary film Circus Tuomento.

Pärnu International Documentary and Science Film Festival
October 6–19, 2025
Pärnu, Estonia

More information: Pärnu International Documentary and Science Film Festival