Farima Piroozpay
Farima Piroozpay, an Iranian native who now resides in Sweden showed her passion for film even from her youth by directing theatre at schools. She pursued her academic journey by studying cinema studies at Stockholm University, where she successfully obtained her bachelor’s degree. Her foray into the world of cinema began as a writer, and her talent in writing was evident from the start. Farima’s first script, titled “Dry Land,” exhibited her storytelling skills and earned her first
achievement by winning the Best Script Awards at the Athena Film Festival. Building on her achievements, Farima ventured into the practical aspects of filmmaking and took on the role of a script supervisor in several significant productions in Sweden, including projects like “Young Royals” and “Easy Money.” Her attention to detail and dedication to her craft made her an invaluable asset to these productions.
However, Farima’s ambitions did not end there. She explored her creativity further by taking on the roles of both writer and director. Over the years, she has written and directed three short films, each showcasing her unique style and storytelling prowess. Her debut short film “Dry Land” was released in 2014, followed by “Unwanted” in 2018, and her latest work “Imago” in 2023. With an acceptable portfolio of achievements in both writing and directing, Farima tries one day to make her mark in the world of cinema.
achievement by winning the Best Script Awards at the Athena Film Festival. Building on her achievements, Farima ventured into the practical aspects of filmmaking and took on the role of a script supervisor in several significant productions in Sweden, including projects like “Young Royals” and “Easy Money.” Her attention to detail and dedication to her craft made her an invaluable asset to these productions.
However, Farima’s ambitions did not end there. She explored her creativity further by taking on the roles of both writer and director. Over the years, she has written and directed three short films, each showcasing her unique style and storytelling prowess. Her debut short film “Dry Land” was released in 2014, followed by “Unwanted” in 2018, and her latest work “Imago” in 2023. With an acceptable portfolio of achievements in both writing and directing, Farima tries one day to make her mark in the world of cinema.
Your project has entered our festival. What is your project about?
In biology, imago (Latin for "image") is a butterfly's final stage, reaching its growth and development process by struggling to come out of the cocoon. This is exactly what is happening symbolically in the film. A woman tries to end up a destructive relationship by performing a ritual behaviour to overcome her emotional and spiritual stagnation. By ritual behaviour, we mean the symbolic expression in which people express their social, spiritual or emotional affiliations. This is difficult because she is still in love but at the same time, she knows that by continuing this relationship, she will lose both her dignity and freedom.
What are your ambitions with your project?
We aim to send an important message to all the women in the world through this film. Do not remain in any situation or condition that questions your self-esteem and worth. This situation can be in your relationships or society, in any case, it must not cause you to lose your value and respect as a woman, so fight against it. ti. Tell us something about your shooting. What pleasantly surprised you? From the beginning, we knew that it will be a challenging shooting. A long tracking
shot from her home to the river, moving shooting equipment over a long distance without any vehicle in the jungle, no dialogue, short time and money and hot weather were not desired conditions for making a short film but then I watch the results and receiving positive critics about the film pleasantly surprised us.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
It is mostly for women, but it can be a message to anyone in an abusive and destructive relationship.
Why should distributors buy your film?
This film deals with an issue that is one of the most important problems in society these days. Even in my country, Sweden, assault and harassment of women are one of the main topics of the media therefore it is logical that we pay more attention to the films that try to bold such issues in society.
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
The form of directing the film. This movie has no dialogue because it addresses all the women of the world of every race, ethnicity and language. Inspired by the theory of signs and semiotics in cinema, Imago has also tried to depict a woman's effort who tries to gain her freedom and self-esteem in a very artistic way. Every element used in this film is a sign of something; for instance; The wound on her leg symbolizes the injuries the man inflicted on her by insulting and ignoring her. The blood on the road symbolizes all the hardships he has gone through, and she is still bleeding/suffering from what that happening to her.
Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?
Every person in society should help others based on the knowledge of science or art they have acquired during their life. My goal in making the film is to be able to show women and LGBTQ issues, in society, through the art of making the film.
Who is your role model?
Ingmar Bergman, Andrej Tarkovsky, Agnes Varda, Abbas Kiarostami, Darren Aronofsky.
Which movies are your favourites? Why?
Throughout cinema history, many films inspire me, and it is difficult to name all of them but mostly I like the films that have been made by my favourite directors.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
I like the intermediality theory in the film, in other words, the interaction between different media and film, and the theory of signs and semiotics in film, therefore mostly art galleries, theatres and musical performances are the places that inspire me for my scripts and films.
Which topics interest you the most?
Mostly women’s and LGBTQ issues in society.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
When I see my film makes people talk and think about it and can get their attention.
What do you consider most important about filming?
I think the overriding concern during shooting should be movement both the physical movement of the camera and moving of the audience emotionally. Therefore as a filmmaker, behind every camera angle and movement, you need to have an explanation and reason. You need to answer this question why do I want to take this shot with this specific movement?
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
Camera movement and angles and the way the camera is positioned in the film.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
Considering the limited possibilities we had for the production of this film; however, I think the film can successfully deliver its message to the audiences and make them think about it.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
A film without any clear premises and aim.
Who supports you in your film career?
Just me myself. I think when you start to make a short film, this is just your knowledge, your struggle and your talent that can support you.
What are the reactions to your film?
We still are in the distribution stage and planning for the premier therefore it is a little soon to answer this question but those few friends, and film experts who watched the film privately, had positive opinions.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
Just Stockholm Film Festival, Tempo Film Festival, and Athena Film Festival (not for this film).
What are your plans for your filmmaking career?
The first one at hand is finishing a script with LGBTQ subjects and making my first feature film.
In biology, imago (Latin for "image") is a butterfly's final stage, reaching its growth and development process by struggling to come out of the cocoon. This is exactly what is happening symbolically in the film. A woman tries to end up a destructive relationship by performing a ritual behaviour to overcome her emotional and spiritual stagnation. By ritual behaviour, we mean the symbolic expression in which people express their social, spiritual or emotional affiliations. This is difficult because she is still in love but at the same time, she knows that by continuing this relationship, she will lose both her dignity and freedom.
What are your ambitions with your project?
We aim to send an important message to all the women in the world through this film. Do not remain in any situation or condition that questions your self-esteem and worth. This situation can be in your relationships or society, in any case, it must not cause you to lose your value and respect as a woman, so fight against it. ti. Tell us something about your shooting. What pleasantly surprised you? From the beginning, we knew that it will be a challenging shooting. A long tracking
shot from her home to the river, moving shooting equipment over a long distance without any vehicle in the jungle, no dialogue, short time and money and hot weather were not desired conditions for making a short film but then I watch the results and receiving positive critics about the film pleasantly surprised us.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
It is mostly for women, but it can be a message to anyone in an abusive and destructive relationship.
Why should distributors buy your film?
This film deals with an issue that is one of the most important problems in society these days. Even in my country, Sweden, assault and harassment of women are one of the main topics of the media therefore it is logical that we pay more attention to the films that try to bold such issues in society.
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
The form of directing the film. This movie has no dialogue because it addresses all the women of the world of every race, ethnicity and language. Inspired by the theory of signs and semiotics in cinema, Imago has also tried to depict a woman's effort who tries to gain her freedom and self-esteem in a very artistic way. Every element used in this film is a sign of something; for instance; The wound on her leg symbolizes the injuries the man inflicted on her by insulting and ignoring her. The blood on the road symbolizes all the hardships he has gone through, and she is still bleeding/suffering from what that happening to her.
Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?
Every person in society should help others based on the knowledge of science or art they have acquired during their life. My goal in making the film is to be able to show women and LGBTQ issues, in society, through the art of making the film.
Who is your role model?
Ingmar Bergman, Andrej Tarkovsky, Agnes Varda, Abbas Kiarostami, Darren Aronofsky.
Which movies are your favourites? Why?
Throughout cinema history, many films inspire me, and it is difficult to name all of them but mostly I like the films that have been made by my favourite directors.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
I like the intermediality theory in the film, in other words, the interaction between different media and film, and the theory of signs and semiotics in film, therefore mostly art galleries, theatres and musical performances are the places that inspire me for my scripts and films.
Which topics interest you the most?
Mostly women’s and LGBTQ issues in society.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
When I see my film makes people talk and think about it and can get their attention.
What do you consider most important about filming?
I think the overriding concern during shooting should be movement both the physical movement of the camera and moving of the audience emotionally. Therefore as a filmmaker, behind every camera angle and movement, you need to have an explanation and reason. You need to answer this question why do I want to take this shot with this specific movement?
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
Camera movement and angles and the way the camera is positioned in the film.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
Considering the limited possibilities we had for the production of this film; however, I think the film can successfully deliver its message to the audiences and make them think about it.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
A film without any clear premises and aim.
Who supports you in your film career?
Just me myself. I think when you start to make a short film, this is just your knowledge, your struggle and your talent that can support you.
What are the reactions to your film?
We still are in the distribution stage and planning for the premier therefore it is a little soon to answer this question but those few friends, and film experts who watched the film privately, had positive opinions.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
Just Stockholm Film Festival, Tempo Film Festival, and Athena Film Festival (not for this film).
What are your plans for your filmmaking career?
The first one at hand is finishing a script with LGBTQ subjects and making my first feature film.