11:30 hrs, Friday 24th June, Roberts G06
Director / Anthropologist: Sadaf Javdani / Undine Froemming, Laurent Van Lancker
Year of Release: 2010
Duration: 30 mins
Country of Production: Iran
Location: Tehran, London, Berlin
Language: Persian, English (English sub)
Iran has been experiencing a very high rate of “Brain drain” during the last few years. While feeling confused, many Iranian intellectuals and college graduates naturally come to believe that leaving Iran is the ultimate solution to their bewildering situation. However, as soon as they leave, another set of holes emerge in their lives. They have to face whole new sets of conflicts and deal with a new set of circumstances such as cultural and social shocks, communication barriers, etc. Something like a sense of belonging is still missing. This film explores the contrast between Iranian youth’s taste of life and what the country has to offer. It visually demonstrates the contradictory feelings of constant homesickness that this generation is experiencing, whether they decide to stay home or leave it. By focusing on the theme of “friendship”, this film tries to create more adequate representations of what is happening beneath the surface through exploring individual’s personal feelings.