Nadia Fall Discusses Her Debut Film ‘Brides’ and Reframing the Story of Young Women Joining ISIS

Nadia Fall’s debut film ‘Brides’ tells the story of two teenage girls from Britain who are lured by social media posts to join ISIS in Syria. Inspired by real-life events, Fall seeks to humanize the young women often vilified in the media, such as Shamima Begum, by focusing on their emotional journey rather than the political context. The film, which premiered at Sundance, traces the girls’ journey through Turkey toward the Syrian border, highlighting their struggles, friendship, and decision-making. The portrayal of these young women resists easy condemnation and instead explores the complexities of their motivations. Fall explains that she wanted to tell a story about adolescent friendship, drawing inspiration from road movies and films about young women. Notably, the film avoids discussing terrorism directly, leaving the audience to focus on the characters’ emotional arc. Fall also reflects on the broader socio-political landscape, highlighting how issues of division and radicalization continue to persist. As she begins her first full season as the artistic director of the Young Vic, Fall is committed to taking risks and addressing systemic issues both in the theatre world and in society at large.