BEYOND BORDERS: INNOVATIVE SHORTS BY IRANIAN ARTISTS
BEYOND BORDERS: INNOVATIVE SHORTS BY IRANIAN ARTISTS
Asian Movie Night presents an inspriring and vibrant programme curated by Marzieh Rasekh and Baran Sedighian. This collection of short films celebrates diverse stories, advocating for social justice and facilitating intercultural dialogue.
The films explore themes of war, trauma, migration and women’s rights, using humour, imagination, personal experiences and childhood memories. With techniques like stop-motion and mixed media, these films push the boundaries of visual storytelling and offer fresh perspectives on life beyond borders.
The programme consists of 7 short films and will be screened at Cavia (11.01), Kino (22.01), de Uitkijk (29.01), FOCUS(5.02), and WORM (19.02).
Part of the screening at WORM will be by a reading performance by Emili Allahbeigi, member of dash(-), a collective currently participating in ‘de Appel’ Curatorial Training Programme. Emili will collaborate with young Iranian poets and writers, sharing texts that explore narrative techniques rooted in Iranian storytelling, oral histories, and memories.
Guest Curator – Marzieh Rasekh: Iranian animator blending traditional and digital techniques. Her films "More" (2018) and "Let’s Play" (2023) earned festival recognition.
Guest Curator – Baran Sedighian: Iranian filmmaker pursuing animation in the Netherlands. Her film "The Deer" featured in top festivals; she’s now developing a new animation and completing a producer fellowship.
dash(-) was founded in Isfahan, Iran, in 2023, and experiments with a self-sustaining economy using community resources. Its members engage with various local collectives, blending art and life through storytelling and active community participation.
Red Dress. No Straps
by Maryam mohajer
2018, Iran/England, 8 min., English
1985. Tehran. Iran-Iraq war. For ‘Marmar’ it is another ordinary afternoon at the grandparents’. The echo of ‘Death to America’ chants from the morning school assembly mixes with ‘The Voice of America’; grandad’s favourite radio program. Marmar is waiting for granny to make her a dress exactly the same as the glamorous American Popstar; Bright red. No straps.
Noon
by Roshanak Roshan
2024, Iran/France, 20 min., French w/ English subtitles
I leave Tehran Airport. My suitcase is full of souvenirs from Iran, including small bits of bread. I take them, look at them, and smell them. Why do I bring bread from Iran? In my mind, I follow the events that have affected this "human being": Revolution, war, and modernisation.
Sorry For Staring at Me
by Hanieh Hemmati
2022, Iran, 4 min., French w/ English subtitles
A girl with social anxiety shares her life in a self-portrait film. Unable to speak in front of others, she asks her best friend to speak for her as she takes us through moments where she felt watched and unable to live a normal life.
This is Mine
by Maryam Kashkoolinia
2012, Iran, 6 min.
After wars landmines remain, still patiently hunting their prey…
Our Uniform
by Yegane Moghaddam
2023, Iran, 7 min., French w/ English subtitles
An Iranian girl unfolds her school memories on the wrinkles and fabrics of her old uniform.
The Fourth Wall
by Mahboobeh Kalaee
2021, Iran, 10 min., English subtitles
A family kitchen becomes very lively when seen through the eyes of a young boy with a vivid imagination.
In the Gaze of Panoptes
by Sara Rajaei
2016, Iran/Netherlands, 22 min, English
Following his seven-year-old lucid dream, the protagonist transforms from a city man to a caveman, taking refuge in nature and becoming the perfect observer of light… the watchman… Panoptes, the giant with one hundred eyes.
Cineville valid at the door and online on the day itself!