DESPITE ALL THIS: Cinema Premiere in Bonn and Koblenz

On June 3 in Bonn and June 4 in Koblenz, the audience celebrated the first two premiere evenings of the documentary film “Trotz Alledem - Tevî her Tiştî” with thunderous applause and palpable emotion. The film by director Robert Krieg, which portrays women in the north-eastern Syrian autonomous region of Rojava, clearly strikes a nerve - both politically and emotionally.

Bonn: An evening full of sympathy and encounters

Even before the film began, numerous guests gathered in front of the Neue Filmbühne in Bonn. The anticipation was palpable, and the movie theater was almost completely full. After introductory words from distributor Stephan Winkler (W-FILM) and director Robert Krieg, the film was watched in tense silence - a quiet, intense audience experience that was followed by prolonged applause.

The film discussions, moderated by Middle East expert Larissa Bender, testified to the audience's deep concern. Many of those present expressed their respect for the resilience of the women portrayed. Bender recalled the cameraman Mansour Karimian, who was killed in an air raid shortly after filming - a memory that caused a moving moment of silence.

Krieg described filming under the constant threat of Turkish air strikes, during which women's projects in particular were targeted. Nevertheless, together with the team on location, he succeeded in documenting impressive insights into the lives of women - women who are building new social structures despite war and repression.

Koblenz: Hope among the ruins

The second premiere in Koblenz on June 4 was also met with huge interest - the auditorium was filled to capacity. The atmosphere was attentive, focused and at the same time full of sympathy.

In the subsequent discussion, Robert Krieg emphasized that the security situation in the Rojava region has worsened since the filming. Although there is currently a certain degree of calm, violence could flare up again at any time. It is particularly depressing that, despite the deterioration in the situation, the political structures in the region have hardly changed - the women are still fighting almost alone.

A central theme of the evening was the idea of the council structure, with which the women want to rebuild society from the bottom up - locally, in a grassroots democratic and participatory way. This form of resistance and self-empowerment is not only political, but also deeply human.

Krieg pointed out that the area is historically Kurdish and that there have been repeated attempts to suppress this identity through targeted resettlement. After the Syrian Spring in 2011, the opportunity to establish their own social models opened up for the first time - and the women used this space in a remarkable way.

A document of strength

With a calm gaze and without explanatory commentary, the film shows how women found villages, teach children, defend themselves, build networks - and how they build a new future in the midst of destruction. The stories of Argin, Jehan, Delal, Sidan, Ghoufran and Hiba give an idea of how much courage and will there is in this movement.

“Trotz Alledem - Tevî her Tiştî” will be released in selected cinemas across Germany on June 12, 2025, accompanied by a cinema tour with director Robert Krieg and numerous partners from civil society.

Cinema tour dates (selection):

Heidelberg | 12.06. | Gloria & Gloriette | 7.30 pm

Hanover | 14.06. | Kino am Raschplatz | 11.00 am

Freiburg | 17.06. | Kommunales Kino | 7.30 pm

Cologne | 07. & 08.07. | Kino 813 | 8.00 pm

Hamburg | 01.07. | 3001 Kino | time tba

Further dates can be found on the W-FILM Webite or directly at the cinemas.