The young Kurdish film director Lauand Omar, known for his controversial feature movie Bekhal's Tears – shot in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2005 - is planning to film his latest high-budget movie later this year: Back to Mesopotamia, the first Iraqi horror movie made for a global audience. In an exclusive interview with iErbil editor-in-chief Mariwan Salihi, Lauand discusses the death threats he received after the premiere of Bekhal's Tears, his previous work at MTV Arabia, the current situation in his native Syria, and his love affair with Mexico.

Q- You were mostly raised in Germany, and finished your education at film schools in Canada and in Miami, Florida. What took you to Iraq in 2005 for Bekhal's Tears?

A – Bekhal's Tears wasn't planned at all. I had just finished film schools in the US and Canada and went to visit my dad in Iraqi Kurdistan. He has been active all his life in the Kurdish political issue, and therefore he can't go back to Syria. In Iraqi Kurdistan, Kurds have their own autonomous region and in the capital Erbil, my father runs a cultural center. In 2005, the air was still filled with joy as Saddam Hussein and his dictatorial regime had lost power two years earlier. The war was long over, and the Kurds were celebrating, at least that's what it seemed. After spending a couple of weeks in Erbil, meeting people from my age and younger, I saw a totally different picture: there were honor crimes, many social taboos, and an increasing desire by the youth to live a liberal lifestyle, just like their peers in the West. Few people were talking about these issues in the media then, so it inspired me to write a script to empower the young generation, the future of my country. Since women's issues were very important there, and the younger generation was ready for drastic changes, so was the local Kurdish government [Kurdistan Regional Government, in northern Iraq], who also financed my movie. The movie tells the story of Bekhal, a Kurdish village girl from the mountains. She wants to attend university in the city, but her conservative parents expect her to marry her cousin. The divided family, turn on their daughter who brings disgrace after her fiancé rapes her. Then, the courageous Bekhal has to fight the social restrictions imposed to her by her family and the entire society.

Q- Bekhal's Tears received more attention globally than in Iraqi Kurdistan. Was it because the main role was played by a Western-educated, Turkish-Cypriot actress with no knowledge of the Kurdish culture?

A - Ozzie Aziz, who played Bekhal, learned the Kurdish language in minimum time. Her script was in Kurdish, and surprisingly she did it also very well. At that time, there were no local actresses who could have played her role, as the issue of honor killings and the rape-scene in the movie were big taboos then. In the Middle East, locals still have an issue when "an outsider" plays the role of a local. But the main topic here was raising awareness on honor crimes, women rights and the problems the youth were facing then. Bekhal's Tears, received among others, awards of appreciations in numerous film festivals from Abu Dhabi to Amman, in 2006. When the movie premiered in Erbil, the hall was packed with people, and it was also broadcasted on several Iraqi TV channels.

Q- Some feminist groups and cinema officials in Iraqi Kurdistan criticized your movie then, saying you falsely portrayed the Kurdish culture for your own reasons. What was your respond to them then?

A - They were obviously not happy to see someone debating a highly controversial issue, like honor crimes, and release that in the form of a movie which was screened all over the world in film festivals. People were silent on these issues before, mainly because of the role many tribal and religious leaders were playing in that subject. I received tens of death threats by extremists then, and even the former head of the cinema department attacked me verbally. But, thankfully, today, honor crimes have been banned by the government and the same goes for Female Genital Mutilation (FMG). Furthermore, women are equal to men, by law, and they are very much protected. Just in a few years time, Iraqi Kurdish women have become one of the most liberal in the entire Middle East.

Q- You left Iraqi Kurdistan and ended up directing reality shows in Dubai. Were you tired of the cinema-industry?

A- On the contrary, it was a good step for the sake of diversity in my career. I learned a lot from directing reality shows and other programs. In Dubai, I worked for MTV Arabia and got involved with directing popular programs like VJ Hunt and Sa7bat. I also directed two music videos. Meanwhile, my biggest dream was launching my own casting agency. After I left Dubai for Morocco, in 2008, I started Lomar Casting. We provide top American, European and Middle Eastern talents for many Hollywood, and other international, movies. In Morocco, Lomar Casting has become a truly respected agency for Moroccan and international actors seeking local and global recognition.

Q- You were born in Damascus. What's your opinion about the current political situation and bloodshed in your native Syria?

A- I think it's about time things will change in Syria. You can't stop people from demanding their freedoms, political rights and a fair share of wealth. The Syrians, with all their ethnic and religious groups, want to be free and live a good life. Unfortunately these demands are coming with a lot of violence and many innocent people are dying as we speak. But finally, the world is seeing the brutality of the Syrian regime. I think it will take some time, and like in all the other Arab countries where people are demanding changes, it will be a critical time as well. I hope the dictatorships don't disappear only to make room for extremists or new fake democracies. Personally I can't wait to visit Syria again with my family.

Q- So, do you think you can shot a movie in Syria soon? If yes, what will the movie be about?

A- Oh…well, I can't predict now. I believe growing up in different parts of the world helped me write stories that can have an impact on different people, no matter their background or culture. But each place does have its own magic and legends and feel to it. I'd have to spend some time in Syria to answer that. But if you watch Arabic TV you know that many of the best TV series that are being aired come from Syria. So there is a lot of talent there, writers, producers, directors, and actors, Arabs and Kurds, I would love to work with some of those people in the future.

Q- The shooting of Back to Mesopotamia will start soon. What's the story behind your second feature film on Iraq?

A- I can't reveal much about Back to Mesopotamia, as it's the first time I would discuss this with the media. All I can say is that it will be the first international Iraqi horror movie, meaning it is meant for a global audience. The movie is about an ancient Kurdish legend, Kawa. It's a movie played in modern-day Iraq, but it takes us back in history as well. Local Iraqis and the international audience will love the movie for sure, as it's for the first time in two decades that a movie will entertain, and show a different aspect of Iraq, one that's not associated with war, terror and extremism. The high-budgeted movie will be filmed by the end of this year or early 2012, and includes Iraqi and foreign actors. The movie will be in English, and it will perhaps include some well-known Hollywood actors. But that remains a surprise for now.

Q- You've often been described as a citizen of the world; You've lived and worked in many countries around the world: You were born in Syria, lived most of your life in Germany - where you acquired your citizenship, you studied at film schools in the US and Canada. Furthermore, you worked as a director for MTV Arabia in the UAE, you shot your first movie in Iraq, and you have a casting agency in Morocco. What, and where, next?

A- Good question! "What and where next." I ask myself that all the time. The world is a village! You can be anywhere on the planet in just a few hours. I love New York... one day I will live there again for sure. Right now I'm happy to be this week in Erbil and see the quick development. Here, the nightlife has picked up, people are embracing liberalism and there's so much vibe. And then heading to Morocco and meet up with the incredible talent I have in my agency. But somehow, I always end up in Mexico; I lived there for several years… it's magical, the people, the energy. Making movies or TV is not easy, sometimes it takes a long time to get a project going, I used to stress about it a lot, but now I learned to enjoy life apart from my goals and career. I might stay in Mexico for a while and open a place where arts and nightlife meet. A place I can go to in between movie and TV projects. It might be in Mexico City, or in Acapulco.