The silhouettes | خانه
A Creative Documentary by Afsaneh Salari
Produced by Afsaneh Salari & Jewel Maranan
Production: Docmaniacs, Cinema Is Incomplete
80′ | 4K | 2020 | Iran & Philippines
World Premiere: Visions du Réel 2020 | Jury Special Mention for Best Film
Request preview link and presskit:
afsaneh.salari2@gmail.com
thesilhouettesfilm@gmail.com
At the height of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1982, over 1.5 million Afghans fled to Iran in search of a new life. Taghi was born in Iran. He wants to escape the ruthless discrimination that Afghans face in everyday Iranian life and doesn’t see himself as a refugee. Against all odds, he decides to go to Afghanistan. However, unexpected challenges await him there. The country is gripped unabated by the aftermath of never-ending wars and renewed religious conflicts that threaten the population and have already killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people. Extremely sensitive and nuanced, Afsaneh Salari Film documents Taghi’s inner turmoil faced with the impossible choice: his desire to live in the land of his ancestors, to build a better future for generations to come, and the need to seek a better life and stay alive. Whatever choice he makes, it will not be easy. (Giona A Nazzaro)
Watch the trailer:
Festivals & Screenings
Visions du Reel 2020, International Competition, Switzerland
Iranian Film Festival Zurich 2020, Feature-length competition, Switzerland
Rendezvous with Madness 2020, Documentary Section, Canada
Kasseler Dokfest 2020, Feature-length competition, Germany
Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival 2020, Feature-length competition, Nepal
Pakistan International Mountain Film Festival 2020, Feature-length competition, Pakistan
Iranian International Documentary Film Festival: Cinema Verite 2020, Feature-length competition, Iran
Iranian Fajr Film Festival 2021, Documentary Competition, Iran
Miradasdoc Film Festival 2021, Feature-length competition, Spain
Thin Line Film Festival 2021, Feature-length Documentary competition, US
Etnocineca Film Festival 2021, Documentary Section, Austria
Lasalle International Film Festival – Doc Cevennes 2021, France
Middle-East Now Film Festival 2021, Afghan Focus, Italy
Cervino Cine Mountain Film Festival 2021, Competition, Italy
Berlin Human Rights Film Festival 2021, Competition, Germany
Terra Di Tutti Film Festival 2021, Feature Competition, Italy
DMZ International Documentary Film Festival 2021, Asian Competition, South Korea
Crocevia di Sguardi Film Festival 2021, Italy
Norrköping Film Festival 2021, Documentary Section, Sweden
Traces de Vie International Documentary Film Festival 2021, Competition, France
Festival du film Social 2022, Competition, France
Awards & Nominations
Jury Special Mention for Best Documentary Feature, Visions du Reel
Next Award Prize, DMZ International Documentary Film Festival 2021
Director’s Choice: Young talent award, Iranian Film Festival Zurich
Nomination for Best Documentary Feature, Iranian Fajr Film Festival
Nomination for Best directing, Iranian Cinema Verite International Film Festival
First Prize, Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival
Best Picture, Pakistan International Mountain Film Festival
Emerging Filmmaker Award (For The Silhouettes & The Forbidden Strings) Thin Line Film Festival
Lo Porto Prize, Terra Di Tutti Film Festival 2021
First Feature Film Prize, Traces de Vie International Documentary Film Festival 2021
Special Mention for Best Film, Festival du Film Social du Nice 2022
Press, Interviews, and Reviews
Conversation with Afsaneh Salari on Docsinorbit podcast (English)
Interview with Afsaneh Salari on BBC PERSIAN (Persian)
Conversation with Afsaneh Salari on Abadiat-va-yek-rooz podcast (Persian)
Interview with Afsaneh Salari on Honar-o-Tajrobe (Persian)
Film review on Univercine (English)
Film review on In the Seats (English)
Film review on Irandocfest (Persian)
Grants and Support
Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program
JustFilms | Ford Foundation
Visions sud est
Asian Network of Documentary
Karlovy Vary Docs In Progress Award
