Prominent Kurdish filmmaker expresses solidarity with girls caught in blaze at Piranshahr School

Paymneer, 12 December 2012 – Prominent Kurdish filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi wrote in a message of solidarity:
“Well, I know you and who have been with me when shooting many of my films. I was energized by you … and your tough life without any facilities was always in my mind.
You crossed miles and miles to get to school in the neighboring village. I have seen many of such hardships in my homeland. Sometimes, when I saw you from far and you came closer I could see that ice had covered your entire bodies. You would say hi and run into school with the hope of reaching the heater in your classroom as soon as possible to get warm.
You didn’t know that the heater, which you held your hands around, would one day burn your bodies and take your lives. I am saddened and flames are running through my body. Tears start to fall but there isn’t a voice.
I know that one day the money that should be used to warm you up will not go into the pockets of liars and crooks, since the world hates them. They must be ashamed of burning you in their own flames, and how ridiculous and shameful was their apology.