Iranian Filmmakers Defy Odds, Bring Unbridled Iranian Spirit to Sundance

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In a remarkable feat, Iranian-American filmmakers Hossein Keshavarz and Maryam Ataei have premiered their film, 'The Friend's House is Here', at the Sundance Film Festival in the US. The movie, inspired by true stories, captures the resilience and creativity of a new generation of Iranian women artists navigating the underground art scene in Tehran. The film's journey to Sundance was marked by extraordinary challenges, including a 12-day war, nationwide protests, and violent crackdowns in Iran. Despite these obstacles, the filmmakers managed to edit the film in just 14 days and smuggle a print out of the country, where it was premiered in Utah. At the heart of 'The Friend's House is Here' are two young women, Pari and Hanna, who find solace and support in each other as they express themselves and challenge the status quo in Tehran's vibrant underground art scene. The film's title is a tribute to Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami's masterpiece, 'Where is the Friend's House?', which also explores themes of community and helping others. The filmmakers, who drew inspiration from real-life stories, spoke to HT about the film's making and the challenges they faced in depicting the unbridled spirit of Iran's youth. 'The underground art scene is intimately connected with the culture, and this is what is changing the politics too,' said Hossein. 'This generation doesn't want anything to do with the government. They're taking the public space and owning it and living the way they want to.' The film's portrayal of women's empowerment and creativity in Iran is a powerful testament to the resilience of the Iranian people. 'We wanted to make a film where people could identify with these artists, understand their struggles, and hopefully be moved by it,' said Maryam. 'We hear incredibly inspiring stories of how this generation is helping each other, and we wanted to share that with the world.' The filmmakers' decision to shoot the film without permissions was a deliberate choice to capture the raw energy and authenticity of the underground art scene. 'Every outdoor scene is one-shot, there's no counter shot,' said Maryam. 'Get it right or you can't use it.' 'The Friend's House is Here' is a testament to the power of art to transcend borders and bring people together. As the film premieres at Sundance, it shines a light on the unbridled spirit of Iran's youth and their quest for freedom and creativity.