Rawaa Barnes is an Iraqi-born music composer, writer and first time film director. She was the composer on Radio 4's musical drama "The Most Wanted Man in Sweden", and is currently working on her Arts Council funded stage adaptation of her first novel "I am Rumi."

Director Statement

When lockdown happened in London, with the theatres closed, and limited contact with people, I wanted to do something creative and with a spiritual message. I wrote a story about two men; one homeless and one who has become temporary homeless because of lockdown. Despite their different backgrounds they form a bond.

As a first time director, i found the experience unexpectedly challenging but at the same time incredibly rewarding and something that I would like to continue doing. As a woman in my 40s, from the Middle East, I never thought it would be possible to lead a team of men and complete this project. I feel extremely grateful for the opportunity and wiser from the experience.

Coming from a war-torn country, I wanted to touch not only on the subject of being homeless - like refugees are - but also the effect that PTSD has on soldiers and the experience of going to battle and what happens to them when they return.