Neighbours of the War

Daily life, often goes forgotten in war. 

What is the 'Neighbours of the War' project:

"Neighbours of the War"  is an independent feature length documentary about the families who are are lost to the notion of war. The film has a particular focus on the impact war has on a families efforts to complete mundane activities of daily life, alongside the need for both sanctuary and acts of surviving. The film will revolve around families who neighbour the ongoing war on Mosul, in Iraq.

My background and what we need funds for:

I am a photographer and filmmaker with a passion for capturing human stories and finding beauty in darkness. I travelled to Iraq for the first time in the beginning of 2017, Iraq and kurdistan has so much more to offer but has been cloaked by the ongoing war. What took me by surprise the most is the inhabitants living there, the families trying to retain or rebuild their homes whilst they neighbour this war. These families and these moments are just not seen, often we are only subjected to the shocking stereotypes we have of war. I am going to be returning to Iraq to carry on recording families stories and finish the film's production. 

This campaign is to fund for the expenses of production - like travel, accommodation and 10p to every pound will be donated to a charity that is helping families in Mosul and surrounding areas.

An important film to make:

I am extremely passionate about making this film but we do still need your donations to complete it.

The questions that I frequently ask people now; What images pop into your head when you think of the Iraq war? Can you imagine having war as your neighbour? Can you imagine your daily routine living next to a warzone? Let me show you.

Love thy neighbour:

I am trying to tell this story through both the families experiences and my own, the different way in both them and I would respond to a daily task and situation. The style of filming reflects the calming and retive nature of these families.

The film will look at families who have stayed in their homes throughout the ongoings of war, moved back to their homes and have created a new place to call home.

My Neighbour:

I have met so many amazing people in Iraq and kurdistan who are pushing against the forces of war in their own ways, I want to continue to show their faces and their bravery. Postcard portraits are available in the rewards section. 

We are all humans and need the same necessities:

The documentary is about human stories, the families I come across that juxtapose the notion of war whilst they live alongside it. I am not aiming to offer a political message in any way shape or form but document what is happening there right now and how people are living their lives in extraordinary times.

Unfortunately war is not always contained, some of these families have been severly affected by the war, but I hope this film will look at the power of humans and families in the midst of war and the importance of trying to resume daily life and normality in these times.

My aims for the film:

My aim is that "Neighbours of the War" will allow a new insight into the highly documented crisis of the Iraq war, with focus on small intimate stories to show the human side of war. I also hope we can raise awareness the importance of families being together and creating a sanctuary they can call home in a war.

Thank you for your support so far:

I must say a big thank you to my friends and family that helped fund my first trip, I really appreicate all of the donations and effort to share the fundraising page. Now I am beginning to fundraise for my second trip back and I will appreciate any help I can get, please remeber that some of the proceddings will go to a charity.

How you can help:

Please donate to the film fund and if you can or show others the trailer and ask if they can help that would be awesome. There are a variety of rewards available, please look dontation rewards on the right.