The Persian Version
Synopsis
Coming from two countries that are at odds with each other, Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi) strives to find balance. She embraces her opposing cultures, while boldly challenging the ways she’s been defined by each of them. When her big, traditional family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant, Leila must confront both her own identity and long-held conflicts — as well as some surprising parallels — with her mother, Shireen.
Punctuated by a bright color palette, snappy comic dialogue, and vibrant dance numbers, The Persian Version delivers an honest portrayal of a woman who remains unapologetically herself, blended seamlessly into a heartfelt story about family, belonging, and the undeniable influence of pop music. Winning both the Audience Award and Screenwriting Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Maryam Keshavarz delivers a universal and timely story reflecting the Iranian and Iranian-American experience.
Screenings & Events
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Media
Film Credits
- Anne Carey, Ben Howe, Luca Borghese, Maryam Keshavarz
- Maryam Keshavarz
- Abolfazl Talooni, Joanne Yarrow, A.C.E.
- André Jäger
- Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Kamand Shafieisabet, Bijan Daneshmand, Bella Warda, Chiara Stella, Tom Byrne, Shervin Alenabi, Arty Froushan, Samuel Tehrani, Jerry Habibi, Reza Diako, Andrew Malik, Parmida Vand, Ash Goldeh
- Rostam Batmanglij
- Nyla Hazratjee, Amy Nauiokas
- Stage 6 Films, Marakesh Films, Archer Gray Production, AGX, A Bigger Boat
Sponsors
Comedy Program Sponsor
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Pictures of Ghosts Retratos fantasmas
Synopsis
In this incisive and whimsical personal essay film about movies, memory, and the places of one’s past, acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho (Bacurau, Neighboring Sounds) explores the changing domestic and urban spaces of his native coastal town of Recife. Split into three sections, the film opens with his family apartment — the site of his early filmmaking endeavors. It then observes the glorious movie houses of Mendonça’s formative years, culminating with a meditation on the transfiguration of theaters into churches and new sites of community.
Through the film’s playful mix of wry narration, amateur (and actual) movies, and archival footage, Mendonça imparts a range of engaging personal musings, from the role of dogs, cats, and termites in his neighborhood to fascinating historical details. A nostalgic love letter to cinema and cities, Pictures of Ghosts creates evocative connections between past and present, fiction and reality, and dilapidated and beautiful.
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Film Credits
- Emilie Lesclaux, Silvia Cruz, Felipe Lopes
- Kleber Mendonça Filho
- Matheus Farias
- Pedro Sotero
- Cinemascópio, Vitrine Filmes
Sponsors
Documentary Program Sponsors
Cynthia Stone Raskin
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Raging Grace
Synopsis
In a posh London neighborhood, undocumented Filipina worker Joy arrives at her latest job with her young daughter Grace smuggled in her suitcase. As Grace hides in an upstairs bedroom, Joy takes care of the estate’s patriarch, Mr. Garrett, who’s bedridden and slowly dying of cancer. Then an ominous revelation emerges, threatening to destroy everything that Joy has strived for in her new life.
In this bold and frightening portrait of race, class, and power, British-Filipino filmmaker Paris Zarcilla skillfully mixes tongue-in-cheek social commentary with plenty of jump scares and haunted-house thrills. Called a “coming of rage” story by its director, the film builds to ever greater heights of thrills and blood-splattered carnage, as mother and daughter attempt to break out of the cycle of exploitation that has long trapped their people.
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Film Credits
- Chi Thai
- Paris Zarcilla
- Christopher C.F. Chow
- Max Eigenmann, Jaeden Paige Boadilla, Leanne Best, David Hayman
- Jon Clarke
- Last Conker
Sponsors
Film Supporter
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Robot Dreams
Synopsis
In this love letter to 1980s New York City, Dog lives in Manhattan. Tired of being alone, he orders and builds himself a robot companion, and their friendship blossoms. Dog and Robot become inseparable, living life to the fullest in time with the vivacious rhythms of the big, bustling city. And then one summer night, Dog, with a heavy, reluctant heart, has no choice but to abandon Robot at the beach. Will the two ever meet again?
Based on the popular graphic novel by Sara Varon, director Pablo Berger (Blancanieves) brings us a unique animated feature that follows the adventures and misfortunes of two souls, forever united. Full of charm, daydreams, deadpan comedy, and moments of subtle heartbreak, Robot Dreams is an ingeniously playful, tenderly articulated tale of friendship in all its fragility and glory.
Screenings & Events
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Film Credits
- Ignasi Estapé, Sandra Tapia, Ibon Cormenzana, Pablo Berger, Angel Durández
- Pablo Berger
- Fernando Franco
- Animators: José Luis Ágreda, Benoît Feroumont, Daniel Fernándes Casas, Patricia Andrades
- n/a
- Alfonso de Vilallonga, Yuko Harami
- Arcadia Motion Pictures
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Rustin
Synopsis
The architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington, Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. He challenged authority, never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired. And he did not back down. He made history, and in turn, he was forgotten.
Directed by DGA Award and five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) and starring Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo in a towering and electrifying performance, Rustin shines a long overdue spotlight on the extraordinary man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. (Aml Ameen), Ella Baker (Audra McDonald), Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (Jeffrey Wright) and NAACP leader Roy Wilkins (Chris Rock), dared to imagine a different world, and inspired a movement in a march toward freedom.
Screenings & Events
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Film Credits
- Bruce Cohen, Tonia Davis, George C. Wolfe
- Julian Breece, Dustin Lance Black
- Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, Lilli Kay, Jordan-Amanda Hall, Jakeem Powell, Grantham Coleman, Jamilah Rosemond, Jules Latimer, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper, Frank Harts, Kevin Mambo, Carra Patterson, Bill Irwin, Cotter Smith, Adrienne Warren, Jeffrey Wright, Audra McDonald
- Branford Marsalis
- Barack & Michelle Obama, Mark R. Wright, Alex G. Scott, David Permut, Daniel Sladek, Chris Taaffe
- Higher Ground, Bold Choices Production
Sponsors
Black Perspectives Program Sponsor
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