Zaven Najjar's Animated Film 'Allah n'est pas obligé' Explores Child Soldiers and War

Zaven Najjar, a filmmaker and animator, has directed the animated film 'Allah n'est pas obligé', adapted from Ahmadou Kourouma's novel of the same name. The film, released on April 19, 2026, portrays the journey of a child soldier with a pedagogical, historical, and satirical approach, featuring vibrant graphics. Najjar studied animation at Arts Déco in Paris and cinema at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Previously, he served as art director for Sepideh Farsi's film 'La Sirène'. His work draws from personal and familial experiences, as he comes from a background of Armenians from Syria and Lebanon, countries marked by civil wars often discussed with a joking tone. The film's themes intersect with conflicts in Iran-Iraq, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, reflecting on how war is depicted from different perspectives. In an interview, Najjar's programming includes 'The Notorious Big Juicy' and 'Alpha Blondy Peace in Liberia', highlighting his artistic influences. The discussion probes whether his African odyssey unconsciously collides with his family's narrative of war-torn regions.