Movies: Toren: Back to Roots (2025) by Nawzad Shekhany: A Heartbreaking but Resilient Story of a People Under Threat

Back to Roots, also known as Toren: Back to Roots, is a powerful war drama written, directed, and produced by Nawzad Shekhany. The film is a reimagined and final version of his award-winning 2018 film, Toren, and it's a deeply personal project for the director, who is a member of the Yazidi people. The movie is set against the backdrop of the ISIS invasion of Iraq and the genocide campaign against the Yazidis. It tells the story of Toren, a young artist living in Georgia, who grapples with a fractured identity. When he discovers his family's traumatic past with genocide, he embarks on a journey back to his roots in Iraq, only to face a new wave of violence. The film is a raw and emotional portrayal of love, identity, and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Why to watch this movie: A Deeply Human Look at a Modern Tragedy

• A Story from a Survivor's Perspective: The film offers a rare and crucial perspective on the Yazidi genocide, told by a director from that community. It provides a human face to a global tragedy, making the horror both deeply personal and universally resonant.

• An Emotional and Gripping Narrative: The film is a suspenseful drama that follows Toren's journey, which is both a quest for identity and a desperate attempt to survive. The narrative is emotionally charged and will keep audiences invested in his fate.

• A Work of Perseverance: The film was produced under exceptional circumstances, including the ISIS invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic. Its very existence is a testament to the resilience of its creators and the importance of its story.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/toren-back-to-roots (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/toren-back-to-roots (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/toren-back-to-roots (UK)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37957712/

What Trend is followed? Narrative Cinema as a Form of Witness

The film aligns with a growing trend of "witness cinema" where filmmakers from marginalized or persecuted communities use their art to document and bear witness to historical events. This trend uses cinematic storytelling to ensure that human rights abuses are not forgotten.

• Focus on a Specific Genocide: By telling the story of the Yazidi people, the film brings attention to a specific genocide that may not be widely known to global audiences.

• Using Art to Overcome Trauma: The film's protagonist, an artist, uses his art to understand and process his family's trauma. This highlights the role of art as a tool for healing and preserving cultural identity.

Director's Vision: Turning Pain into Awareness

Nawzad Shekhany's vision for Back to Roots is to create a film that is not just a recounting of a tragedy, but a powerful act of remembrance and a call for awareness. He wants to show the world the pain and suffering of the Yazidi people, but also their incredible strength and resilience.

• Authentic and Unflinching: The director's personal connection to the story ensures that the film is a raw and honest portrayal of the events. He doesn't shy away from showing the brutality, but he does so with a sense of purpose.

• A Blend of Genres: The film is a unique blend of a psychological drama, a thriller, and a war film. This multi-genre approach makes the film more accessible to a wider audience while still retaining its emotional weight.

Themes: Identity, Trauma, and The Search for Home

The film explores profound and universal themes that are central to its narrative.

• The Struggle for Identity: Toren's journey is one of a young man caught between two worlds—his life in Georgia and the ancestral roots in Iraq that he is only just beginning to understand. The film explores what it means to belong.

• Legacy of Trauma: The film delves into the intergenerational trauma of genocide, showing how the past continues to haunt and shape the lives of the characters in the present.

• The Meaning of "Home": The film raises the question of what home truly is—is it a place, a people, or a sense of belonging? Toren's journey is a search for a place where he can finally feel at peace.

Key success factors: Personal Narrative and Emotional Depth

The film's success is rooted in its powerful, personal narrative and its ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level.

• A Personal Story: The fact that the director is a Yazidi himself lends an authenticity to the film that would be impossible to replicate. This personal connection makes the story all the more impactful.

• Emotional Weight: The film doesn't rely on spectacle or special effects, but on the raw emotions of its characters. It's a testament to the power of a simple, honest story.

• Strong Lead Performance: The main actor's ability to portray the complex emotional journey of his character is crucial to the film's overall success.

Awards and Nominations: A Critical Success

While the 2025 version has not yet had time to acquire a full list of awards, the film's previous version, Toren, was an award-winning feature. This suggests that the final cut will continue to receive critical acclaim.

Critics reception: A Poignant and Important Work

• Prime Video: The film has been described as "heavy" and "psychological" on its Amazon Prime Video page. It has been praised for its "haunting" quality and its unflinching look at a difficult subject.

• Overall Summary: The critical reception is that the film is an important and poignant work. It's not an easy film to watch, but it's a powerful one that has been praised for its authenticity and emotional depth.

Reviews: An Unforgettable Experience

• Prime Video: The reviews on the platform have highlighted the film's emotional impact. Viewers have described it as a film that is "deeply moving" and "unforgettable."

• Overall Summary: The reviews consistently praise the film for its ability to tell a difficult story with sensitivity and purpose. Viewers feel that the film is a crucial educational tool that sheds light on a human tragedy.

Movie Trend: Social-Issue Dramas and Refugee Stories

The film is a perfect example of a growing trend of social-issue dramas and refugee stories that are coming to the forefront of independent cinema. These films give a voice to those who have been displaced and silenced by war.

Social Trend: Genocide Awareness and Memory

The film aligns with a crucial social trend of genocide awareness and the importance of memory in preventing future atrocities. By telling the story of the Yazidi genocide, the film contributes to a global conversation about human rights and the need to remember past tragedies.

Final Verdict: A Beautiful and Important Film

Back to Roots is a beautiful, haunting, and deeply important film. It is a powerful act of remembrance and a testament to the human spirit. It is highly recommended for anyone who appreciates thoughtful, character-driven dramas and wants to learn about a story of survival that needs to be told.