The premiere screening of the highly anticipated film Love in the Time of Corona took place on Friday at City Cinema in Sulaimani. The event featured a distinctive blue carpet, laid out as a gesture of gratitude towards doctors and healthcare workers who bravely served the community during the coronavirus pandemic. Approximately 150 of the 800 guests in attendance were healthcare professionals, who arrived at the venue in ambulances, symbolizing their crucial role during the crisis.

"Our goal was to reach every audience and see what the coronavirus did at that time and how it destroyed all human values," said Mahir Hassan, the star of the film, in an interview with Rudaw’s Peshawa Bakhtyar on Friday.

The film, blending elements of comedy, romance, and drama, aims to provide a thoughtful reflection on the pandemic's impact. Director Shwan Atoof emphasized the importance of the comedic aspect of the film, stating, "We have to restore respect for comedy. Comedy is not just about laughing. It must be accompanied by thought."

Sponsored by Rudaw Media Network, the 140-minute film will be shown in Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Kirkuk provinces on the first day of Eid al-Adha. "Thank you to Rudaw for always supporting my films and those of our fellow filmmakers," Atoof expressed his gratitude.

The film features leading performances by Mahir Hassan, Ahmad Jola, and Reshan Hemo, and was produced by Soran Othman and So Production. The project, which took nearly two years to complete, is a testament to the resilience and dedication of the filmmakers in bringing this poignant story to the screen.