Sierra Urich rew up in a small city nestled within the foothills of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Raised by her Persian mom and American-born
father, she grew up talking English, by no means studying her mom’s native language. Her connection to her Iranian identification was restricted to meals, holidays, and previous household pictures. She was 4 years previous when she met her grandparents for the primary time. She has by no means been to Iran.
“Joonam”is screening on the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, which runs from January 19-29.
W&H: Describe the movie for us in your individual phrases.
SU: Only understanding Iran by means of household tales, meals, and holidays, and with the prospect of journey to the nation a seemingly unimaginable dream, “Joonam” paperwork my private journey to make sense of my fractured Iranian identification.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
SU: “Iran is too dangerous. Maybe one day the political situation will get better…”
As a toddler I took this household chorus at face worth. Growing up in rural Vermont, my household’s recollections had been the one window I needed to perceive my cultural identification. Visiting Iran was by no means on the desk, and due to that, I grew up with out a lot connection to it. My father was American, my buddies had been American, and I used to be American. The incontrovertible fact that my mom was from “Persia,” as she most popular me to say– an historical empire absent from fashionable maps– was a small element that made me really feel fascinating and mysterious. For me, Iran was simply meals and holidays– something extra was out of attain.
“Joonam” was born out of my deep and unresolved want to really feel linked to Iran.
W&H: What would you like individuals to consider after they watch the movie?
SU: At this very second, Iran is on the cusp of one other revolution. Young ladies are burning symbols of the regime, main protests within the streets, and fearlessly combating for his or her liberty and bodily autonomy. This is the most important menace the Islamic Republic has confronted since they got here to energy 43 years in the past.
Like each different diasporic Iranian these previous few months, I’ve been glued to my social media feed, moved by the pictures of riot and bravado coming in another country. The longing that compelled me to make this movie is similar gas that has been simmering beneath the floor for tens of millions of Iranians dwelling overseas, and immediately we’re witnessing that gas come to a boil.
This movie is an intimate window into the Iranian diaspora, and understanding the expertise of our neighborhood is essential to understanding the seismic significance of what’s occurring in Iran proper now.
W&H: How did you get your movie funded? Share some insights into how you bought the movie made.
SU: This movie was funded totally by means of grants! This means two crucial issues. One, I used to be at all times in full management over what this movie would grow to be. And two, many many hours had been spent writing grant purposes — most of which finish in rejections — or taking part in group fellowships, retreats, and residencies.
While there are legit limitations and critiques to the applying course of concerned with most grant funding, I do consider that the method of getting to constantly advocate for why your movie is vital or must be made. The fellowship expertise of workshopping and critiquing your movie finally strengthens the work, or on the very least, your individual resolve.
W&H: What recommendation do you might have for different ladies administrators?
SU: If you end up about to ask a query once you even have a press release to make – make the assertion.
W&H: The movie trade has an extended historical past of underrepresenting individuals of coloration on display and behind the scenes and reinforcing — and creating — damaging stereotypes. What actions do you assume have to be taken to make Hollywood and/or the doc world extra inclusive?
SU: Hire individuals of coloration in positions of energy. Give individuals of coloration extra no-strings-attached cash to make what they wish to make. Refrain from giving individuals of coloration unsolicited notes.
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