Rhode Island International Film Festival 2018 - Azadeh
Set during the Iranian Green Movement, this is the true story of a forbidden friendship and the young girl who is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice after her best friend gets trapped in a land-mine field.
Interview with Director Bandar Albuliwi
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I directed the film Azadeh in response to the inhuman and unfathomable living conditions in which Iranian woman are subjected to on a daily basis. The world needs to be exposed to these basic human rights violations and take charge.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch this film because it shows that no matter where you reside in the world, we all long for friendship, companionship and love (even in a remote on the Iran / Iraq border). It doesn’t matter where you live or from what socio-economic background you come from. Human connection is universal.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The themes that I explore in the film Azadeh are that of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. Everyone can relate to these universal themes because we have all had someone special in our lives, whether they be a friend or lover, that we were willing to do anything for.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was very bare and minimal. As a director, I allowed my actors to explore the characters and situation in which they were immersed in, while giving them the freedom to improv and really get into the role. Having actors memorize a script and spew out dialogue is not acting - it’s merely puppeteering.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback I have received on the film thus far has been extremely positive. People have written to me expressing their deep appreciation for the film and have asked me what I am working on next.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has because I didn’t think that a western audience would connect with a story of a young Iranian girl who tries to rescue her best friend from a land-mine field. It’s not your typical superhero movie.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
My main goal as a filmmaker is to create work that dispels negative stereotypes while at the same time opening up a dialogue. I want to show people a new perspective they haven’t otherwise been familiar with and take them out of their comfort zones. There is more to planet earth than the tiny, comfortable bubble people that people stay in. I want to pop that bubble and take them on a journey.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I want film festivals to begin reaching out and program this film because it is a universal and timely story that needs to be seen. Given the tensions between the United States and Iran right now, there couldn’t be a more important time to watch this movie. People need to become familiar with the region and inhumane conditions that these people go through on a daily basis.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I can care less if people love or hate my film — all that matters is that they watch it. My job as a film director is to take my audience to the library and hand them a book to read. It is then up to them whether or not they want to continue doing research and reading more books about the subject I’ve chosen.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Are women being treated fairly and humanely in Iran?
Would you like to add anything else?
The two leads that I cast for the film had zero acting experience prior to this movie. I cast them because of their chemistry and directed them to a point that I felt was authentic and true to the story.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
As a writer/director, I am currently in pre-production on my upcoming feature film, A Brotherhood, that is being executive produced by two-time Academy Award nominee Hany Abu Assad (Omar, Paradise Now). The film tells the story of William, a struggling U.S. veteran of the Iraq War, who embarks on a journey back to the Middle East after ISIS kidnaps his brother.
Interview: August 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Azadeh
Set during the Iranian Green Movement, this is the true story of a forbidden friendship and the young girl who is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice after her best friend gets trapped in a land-mine field.
Length: 19 minutes
Director: Bandar Albuliwi
Producer: Nily Refai
About the director:
BANDAR ALBULIWI is a graduate of the prestigious American Film Institute conservatory where he received an MFA in Directing. He is currently in pre-production on his upcoming feature film, A Brotherhood,
Key cast: Tiffany Ariany, Johnny Ferdosi, Shary Nassimi, Ryan Tyler.
Looking for: film festival directors.
Facebook: Azadeh Movie
Instragram: @azadehmovie
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Depends which programmer decides to program the film into their festival.