Flana, the term, refers to the thousands of young girls who have disappeared in Iraq. They have either been disappeared by various forces, killed or run off. Where the girls go is not always known. Not everyone cares because in Iraqi society women are not important. How unimportant? Young woman can be killed by a family member, and it will barely be a blip.
FLANA, the film is the story of the director trying to come to terms with the disappearance of a childhood friend. She is not sure what happened or why. Being a young girl who was raised by an aunt, who was a midwife, made her subject to some of misogynistic attitudes. It is also a film that is going to kick your ass.
This is a film that messes with your head. The film opens with someone speaking some words that sound incredibly creepy, as if they are directed at a young girl in a sexual way. They are then flipped, and we realize the words refer to the birth of baby. It's kind of funny, but at the same time it's not since it places us into a very different place than we are used to. That uneasy feeling is further compounded by how the story is told. There are moments that seem to be meditative or belong in an essay film, and others that are long single take interviews that won't let us look away.
I was rocked. I was uncomfortable. I didn't know what to think. When the film ended, I just stared at the screen trying to figure out what I thought. The world that presents is not quite what I expected. Its a form of Misogyny that seems to be more insidious and eviler because it isn't as cut and dry as other forms. This is somehow different...and worse, it is directed at children.
Almost three weeks on I find I am haunted by this film.
This is a must-see film. Yes, it is going to punch you in the gut, but you need to see this.
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