At just 23 years old, actress and theater artist Savia Aras has already established herself as a rising talent in the Kurdish cinema and theater scene. Born in Sulaymaniyah, she graduated from the theater-directing department at the Sulaymaniyah Institute of Fine Arts in 2021 and later completed her studies in the cinema department at the College of Fine Arts. Passionate about her craft, she says, “I love my art and I want to continuously do beautiful and different work.”
Aras’s career spans both stage and screen. She has acted in numerous theatrical productions, including Uncle Vanya, The Glass Menagerie, Shalir, The Maker’s Game, and Room Number Six, among others. In addition to acting, she has directed theater productions such as The Forgotten Glass Bride and Constitution and Beyond Constitution. On screen, Aras took the lead role in the short film Silence, directed by Fazil Qasab. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “In my work, I have big dreams and strong will. With beautiful and different ideas, I want to achieve great success. My goal is to develop my art more in the future and advance myself further. My only aim is not to stop, but to continue pursuing the ideas I have set for my life, and to serve art through my work.”
For Aras, cinema and theater are vital tools for expressing the experiences and struggles of her people. “Generally, cinema and theater are two important concepts for the present of our nation, for awakening individuals and especially today’s youth,” she said. “All unspoken words can be expressed on the theater stage. Through cinema and theater, we can convey our voice to the world and talk about our pain and suffering. Local audiences should also give more importance to our art because Kurdish cinema and theater need a serious, engaged audience.” She emphasized the challenges of both forms: “Each art form is difficult in its own way. No art can be easily produced. Every work requires sacrifice. If you want to create something beautiful, you must be fully committed, because nothing worthwhile comes easily.”
Aras also shared her insights on the themes of Kurdish cinema and theater. “We cannot say that Kurdish audiences want a specific type or genre. Perhaps because of the bloody catastrophes and tragedies we have endured, our thinking has become more connected to such experiences. Generally, works that report on the pain and hardships of our past are, to some extent, successful. Even now, most productions explore society’s struggles and discomfort through different perspectives and daily realities.”
Through her dedication to both theater and cinema, Savia Aras is committed to using art as a medium to tell Kurdish stories, raise awareness, and preserve the cultural and historical narratives of her people.
