Iraq has selected Norwegian-Kurdish director Halkawt Mustafa’s drama No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman as its official submission for the 2027 Oscar race in the Best International Feature category, according to state and industry reports. The film was chosen as the unanimous pick of Iraq’s official National Selection Committee for the Academy Awards, a body mandated by the state ministry of culture.
Plot, Cast, and Frontline Inspiration
The feature follows Vyan, a Kurdish sniper who has survived war by suppressing her emotions. Upon discovering that her younger sister—who vanished during the 2014 ISIS assault—might still be alive, she heads back to Mosul to save her, bringing her face-to-face with the trauma of her past. Avan Jamal stars as Vyan, alongside Norwegian actor Thorbjørn Harr, Kanar Sarchl, and Kader Jalal, according to production details.
Director Halkawt Mustafa, who was born in Iraqi Kurdistan and fled to Norway as a child, stated that the project was inspired by an encounter with a female Peshmerga sniper during 2014 frontline battles against Islamic State attacks. “Through Vyan’s story, I want to honour the women who refused to bow to darkness and fought not only for themselves, but for the freedom of others,” Mustafa said, as reported by Deadline.
Selection Committee Evaluation and Festival Debut
Iraq’s National Selection Committee for the Academy Awards noted that the unanimous decision followed a rigorous artistic evaluation of eligible submissions, praising the film’s mature directorial vision and the cohesive integration of its visual and technical craftsmanship. The production was filmed entirely on location in Mosul by Hene Films in co-production with La Media and The Chimney Pot, with True Colours handling international sales.
The movie is scheduled to have its world premiere out of competition at the Venice Film Festival on Monday. This follows a strong previous awards season for Iraq, which gained momentum when Hasan Hadi’s Cannes Caméra d’Or-winning feature The President’s Cake became the country’s first feature to make the December shortlist.
Director’s Background and Prior Oscar Bids
Mustafa brings a history of conflict-focused storytelling to this latest submission. His past filmography features the 2003-set documentary Hiding Saddam Hussein—which centered on the agricultural worker who harbored the Iraqi leader for 235 days—alongside The Classic, which served as Iraq’s Oscar entry in 2016. He also explored female Kurdish fighters in his 2015 documentary The Women ISIS Fears.
Did you know? Iraq’s 2016 Oscar submission The Classic was also directed by Halkawt Mustafa, marking his return to the Academy Awards competition with No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman.
Key Timeline Dates for the 99th Academy Awards
- December 15: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces the 15 films on the best international feature film shortlist.
- January 21, 2027: The five official nominees for Best International Feature Film are announced.
- March 14, 2027: The 99th Academy Awards ceremony takes place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Iraq’s official Oscar submission for 2027?
Iraq selected No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman, directed by Halkawt Mustafa, as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film category.
Who stars in the film?
The main cast features Avan Jamal as the sniper Vyan, alongside Norwegian actor Thorbjørn Harr, Kanar Sarchl, and Kader Jalal.
Where was the movie filmed?
Production took place on location in Mosul, Iraq.
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