London Feminist Film Festival - One Thousand and One Teardrops
On her first day of school, little Louly is faced with a question: what should she wear? The ugly school uniform or whatever she wants? Luckily, she is visited by a magic teardrop-keeper who helps her make a choice by telling the story of how the women of her nation, Iran, have strived to answer this question for 200 years.
Interview with Writer/Director Fateme Ahmadi
*
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Oh, thanks! One Thousand and One Teardrops is my graduation film from the London Film School. It is an answer to all the questions I have been asked all of these years of my stay in London!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Well, it is a sweet film! Even if you are not interested in animation or any sort of collage, you'd still find the subject matter or the tone and the narrative interesting and worthy of your time I guess.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Perfectly! While the whole thing looks like a very general theme, you'll see me and my vision very present in the deeper layers of the film.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Even after the film was ready to be released I could go back and change things or move them around! The main structure was always there but the details (where the devil is!) kept changing because of the nature of the film and my very low budget.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Mixed if we consider festival rejections feedback! Mostly positive from the audience I should say.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No, as far as I can remember.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I think One Thousand and One Teardrops is an informative and fun film to watch and by having it on your website it will get a better exposure.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Well, it would be great if the film is seen by everyone! but I would like the sales agents particularly to watch it.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I just want them to enjoy the film.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Honestly, I really don't know! As soon as someone asks me about my films, I start to talk about One Thousand and One Teardops anyway! It's very dear to me.
What are you developing or working on now?
A film called Chandra which I wrote and co direct last year and I'm also working on a feature script to be shot in Iran.
Interview: August 2016
_______________________________________________________________________________
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. 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
_______________________________________________________________________________
One Thousand and One Teardops
On her first day of school, little Louly is faced with a question: what should she wear? The ugly school uniform or whatever she wants? Luckily, she is visited by a magic teardrop-keeper who helps her make a choice by telling the story of how the women of her nation, Iran, have strived to answer this question for 200 years.
Length: 17 minuties
Director: Fateme Ahmadi
Producer: Najla Yazdanpanah, Mi Young Yun
Writer: Fateme Ahmadi
Producers: My Iranian friend and producer (and first supporter!) Najla Yazdanpanah, based in Australia
Mi young Yun, my lovely producer and schoolmate now based in South Korea
Key cast:
Shappi Khorsandi
Samantha Ritchie
Andrew Boxer
Salvatore Stella
Ian Ross
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Sales agents and buyers
Funders:
London Film School
Made in association with:
Magic of Persia
Release date: 1 May 2014
Where can I watch it in the next month?
London Feminist Film Festival - 21st August
About Fateme Ahmadi
Born and raised in Shiraz, Iran, Fateme Ahmadi was awarded first prize in the Literature Olympiads, a nationwide humanities competition, granting her permission to complete two undergraduate courses simultaneously. Fateme completed degrees in Persian Literature and Filmmaking at Tehran University and The Art University of Tehran, respectively. In 2009, she completed the MA General Linguistics course at the Institute of Humanities and Cultural Studies in Tehran before becoming the first individual awarded a scholarship from Magic of Persia to attend the two-year MA Filmmaking program at The London Film School. During the course, Fateme wrote, edited, and directed more than ten short films including a few documentaries for BBC World Service.
Her graduation film “One Thousand and One Teardrops” has been shortlisted in more than 40 festivals all around the world with two nominations for the Best Animated Short at the Orlando Film Festival 2014 and Best UK Short Film at the East End Film Festival 2015. It also has won awards for the Best Documentary of the Beeston Film Festival 2015 and Special Jury Mention at the East End Film Festival 2015.
Fateme is the writer and the co-director of “Chandra” produced by Youku Original and Asian Film Academy, premiered in the 20th edition of International Busan Film Festival and screened in many more prestigious film festivals including: Fribourg, Palm Springs Short Fest, Sao Paolo, East End, Flickers’ Rhode Island and Festival Del Film Locarno.
Currently, Fateme works as the researcher on a feature documentary titled “Iran & Us: A love Story” directed by Taghi Amirani.
WRITER & DIRECTOR
• 2015 Chandra, 15 minutes, AFA & Youku original
• 2014 One Thousand & One Teardrops, 17 minutes, MOP & London Film School
• 2013 Shiva, 3 minutes. Shirin Neshat Workshop, London Film School
• 2012 Jafar khan Has Returned From The West, 12min, BBC World Service
• 2012 Ten Nights of Poetry, 26min, BBC World Service
• 2010 If I Should Die, 12min. 16mm Colour, London Film School
• 2010 In The West Of London, 2min. B&W, European Commission
Representative in UK & London Cinema Museum
• 2010 Summer & The Soldier, 3min. 16mm. B&W, LFS
• 2008 Occasion, 14min. HD, Iranian Youth Cinema Society
• 2007 An Ape Man, 15min. HD, Ali Ahmadi
• 2006 LIFE, 1min. 16mm. Colour. Art University of Tehran
EDITOR
• 2013 Dear Mr. Wind, 15min. HD. Dir. Yun Mi Young, London Film School
• 2012 Glen Echo, 5min. HD. Dir. Micheal Cimpher, 4am Films & Curb
Denizen Productions
• 2011 Handle with Care, 12min. HD. Dir. Uri Stramer, London Film School
• 2011 Like Spinning Plates, 12min. 35mm Color. Dir. Liam Creighton, London
Film School
• 2011 No Snow This Year, 13min. 35mm B&W. Dir. Auguste Rahmberg, London
Film School
• 2010 Companions, 6min. 16mm. B&W. Dir. Daina. O. Pusic, London Film
School
SOUND RECORDIST & SOUND DESIGNER
• 2011 Like Spinning Plates, 12min. 35mm Color. Dir. Liam Creighton, London
Film School
• 2011 No Snow This Year, 13min. 35mm B&W. Dir. Auguste Rahmberg, London
Film School