Iranian-American Director Tackles Power Imbalances and #MeToo in Debut Film ‘1001 Frames’

by

Power imbalances are prevalent in many areas, and they often lead to misuse. This issue is courageously addressed in the first feature film of New York-based Iranian writer and director Mehrnoush Alia, titled “1001 Frames“.

In a renowned director’s workshop, actresses are trying out for the part of Scheherazade in “A Thousand and One Nights“, as stated in the movie synopsis. This film will make its grand debut on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Panorama section of the 75th Berlin Film Festival. However, it soon becomes clear to these actresses that the director has ambitions beyond merely choosing the main character.

The movie was made illegally in Iran, as the filmmaker understood that it would not be shown in theaters since similar movies usually don’t receive screening permits. The casting process was supervised by acting instructor Mohammad Aghebati, who also plays the male director character in the film.

The concept of 1001 Frames originated during Alia’s teenage years in Iran, when she had a friend who aspired to be an actress. “I had a friend in high school who was determined to become an actress,” Alia recounted to THR. “She was incredibly gifted and was doing everything she could, which made me understand that this ambition started at a very young age.” Upon moving to the U.S., Alia noticed there was a term for the casting couch. During her time as a film student in New York, she attended numerous audition rooms, assisting friends with their auditions and later seeking actors herself. This experience made her aware that even for unpaid student films, the competition was so fierce that people were exposing themselves to great vulnerability.

Her encounter triggered a sense of unease within her, and she attempted to tackle similar themes that she had previously explored in her 2015 short story titled “Scheherazade.” Following this, she embarked on a larger-scale project. However, the focus of her subsequent work, titled “1001 Frames,” revolves around the broader concept of power imbalances.

Alia emphasizes that the power dynamics and conflicts between directors and vulnerable actors are crucial aspects of this movie for her. She explains to THR that while #MeToo is a significant element, it’s primarily about misuse of power, an issue that seems to be worsening in our world with politicians and more. Given how relevant the topic of power and its abuse is in today’s society, she felt compelled to re-examine this theme.

For many years, these themes had been simmering in the filmmaker’s mind, yet she hadn’t found a suitable moment to create a feature film. However, when Iranian women began publicly advocating for their rights and taking to the streets, she felt inspired by their courage. Seeing these brave young women fighting for their freedom sparked her idea to incorporate an Iranian perspective into the story. Thus, she believed that this social movement provided a fascinating opportunity to explore the Iranian angle.

Alia stresses that the story is not just relevant to a specific region, but rather “I view it as a universally relatable story.

Has there been a significant #MeToo movement effect in Iran? “Although it began later than the global movement in Iran, it still sparked considerable discussion,” the filmmaker notes. “The issue has grown to be quite prominent within Iran and has even divided opinions among its people. Questions similar to those raised in the Western world have emerged, such as: should we separate an artist from their art?

Alia stated that she hasn’t noticed any prominent men losing their careers due to #MeToo accusations, but she noted that “cancel culture” has manifested in people refraining from supporting or watching films of accused individuals. However, she added that those whose names have been involved seem to still be working based on her observations so far.

Alia praises the teamwork of everyone involved in the production of “1001 Frames“. She expresses, “We were all working as one. We supported each other, both men and women, united to convey our shared narrative, striving for change.

Read More

2025-02-15 17:24