Nader Saeivar discusses ‘Hijamat,’ Jafar Panahi collaboration, Iran situation
9 reported
Iranian filmmaker Nader Saeivar, who has collaborated with Jafar Panahi since 2017, will present his Berlin-set drama "Hijamat" at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. The film centers on a man named Karam, whose secret romantic relationship with a man sends shockwaves through his deeply religious Muslim family. Saeivar, who won the best screenplay award at Cannes in 2018 for Panahi's "3 Faces," made his directorial debut with "Namo" at Berlin in 2020, followed by "No End" at Busan and "The Witness" (2024), which won the audience award at Venice. "Hijamat" is his first film shot outside Iran and features German stars Kida Khodr Ramadan, Moritz Bleibtreu, and Nastassja Kinski. Saeivar said he was invited by a Berlin production company and wanted to make a more personal film, somewhat removed from social and political issues in Iran. He noted that he is not in exile but can go back to Iran, though his passport would likely be confiscated, and that most Iranian filmmakers struggle with such issues. Saeivar also stated that after living briefly in Germany, he believes Iran is probably the most secular country in the world, with a young generation showing aversion towards religion.
What’s reported
Nader Saeivar has collaborated with Jafar Panahi since 2017.
"Hijamat" is Saeivar's fourth film and first shot outside Iran.
The film stars Kida Khodr Ramadan, Moritz Bleibtreu, and Nastassja Kinski.
Saeivar won best screenplay at Cannes in 2018 for Panahi's "3 Faces."
His film "The Witness" (2024) won the audience award at Venice.
Saeivar said he is not in exile but that returning to Iran would likely result in passport confiscation.
He stated that only about 20% of Iranian filmmakers' energy can go towards making films due to passport and legal issues.
Saeivar said Panahi told him he spends all his time going to court and trying to get his passport back.
Saeivar described Iran's young generation as having an aversion towards religion, calling Iran "the most secular country in the world."
Key figures
Nader Saeivar: Iranian filmmaker, director of "Hijamat"
Jafar Panahi: Iranian filmmaker, collaborator with Saeivar
Kida Khodr Ramadan: German-Lebanese actor in "Hijamat"
Moritz Bleibtreu: German actor in "Hijamat"
Nastassja Kinski: German actress in "Hijamat"
Sources: Variety
