About No Man's Land

No Man's Land is a gripping contemporary drama series aired in 2020, taking viewers deep into the heart of the Syrian civil war. The plot interweaves narratives of varying complexities, primarily around the protagonist, Antoine, a French man seeking for his presumably dead sister. The story evolves as he finds himself entangled in a YPJ unit, a militia of female Kurdish fighters battling ISIS, revealing a side of the war often overlooked.

Making / Production

The series is primarily a Hulu Original but comes from a combination of French and Belgian production companies, including Arte France and Versus Production. Meticulously directed by Amit Cohen and Ron Leshem, No Man's Land takes a cinematic approach, effectively conveying the tragedy, horror and real-life stakes involved in the Syrian civil war.

Actors

• Félix Moati portrays Antoine Habert, offering a finely-calibrated performance. His determination to find his sister brings a powerful emotional core to the series.
• Mélanie Thierry plays Anna Habert, Antoine's sister presumed dead. Her portrayal illuminates the challenges faced by those on the frontline.
• James Krishna Floyd brilliantly bares the struggles of a British Pakistani ISIS recruit, exploring the complexities behind those drawn to extremism.
• Souheila Yacoub delivers a fierce performance as Sarya Dogan, a Kurdish fighter whose courage and spirit personify the resistance against ISIS.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series is primarily shot in Morocco, chosen for its logistical convenience and similar landscape to Syria.
• No Man's Land draws heavily from real-life reports and firsthand accounts of the war in Syria, lending it an air of authenticity.
• It portrays one of the first instances of an entire female military unit, the YPJ, the women's protection units in the Kurdish resistance.

Music, Soundtrack

• The series features an original score by Rutger Hoedemaekers, whose atmospheric composition enhances the intense drama and emotional depth of the story.

Quotes

• "You find peace by making war. You think that's not a paradox" - Antoine
• "We fight for our freedom. For women's freedom" - Sarya Doga