Hiner Saleem directed the internationally popular VODKA LEMON, winner of the Contro Corrente Grand Prize at the 2003 Venice Film Festival.
Saleem, a Paris resident for the past 10 years, was born in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1964. At 17, he fled to Italy via Syria to escape Saddam Hussein's oppressive regime. A fervent advocate for Kurdish rights, he recognizes April 9, 2003 - the fall of Saddam Hussein - as the most beautiful day in his life.
KILOMETRE ZERO is his fourth film and marks the first time he shoots a film in his native Iraqi Kurdistan.
Hiner Saleem is also an acclaimed author. His autobiographical "My Father's Rifle : A Childhood in Kurdistan" has been published in over a dozen countries.

FILMOGRAPHY
2009 APRES LA CHUTE
2005 KILOMETRE ZERO
Official selection in competition - Cannes 2005
2003 VODKA LEMON
Contro Corrente Grand Prize - Venice 2003
Official Selection - Toronto 2003
1999 PASSEURS DE RÊVES (BEYOND OUR DREAMS)
1997 VIVE LA MARIÉE... ET LA LIBÉRATION DU KURDISTAN
(LONG LIVE THE BRIDE? AND THE LIBERATION OF KURDISTAN)
Best Script - Angers Film Festival (France)