ifilm's exclusive report on Iranian feature ‘Sara & Aida’

Watch ifilm's exclusive report on the Iranian feature film ‘Sara & Aida’ directed by Maziar Miri.

Below are highlights of the report.

Miri: It had been a long time that I had been interested in making a movie about friendship, making promises and being responsible for the things we do. I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it.

I just thought that it’s a good subject for making films. I think it’s the duty of every filmmaker to look around and see what’s happening in his/her society and what causes problems; to talk about them and then inform those in charge that something can be done.

Then Amir Arabi gave me a proposal which was the first proposal for ‘Sara and Aida’.

Unlike what we always say that men always keep their promises, we can see that young girls who are from the new generation keep their promises.

It was very interesting for me. Being responsible played an important role in it.

We started to work and discuss the first proposal.

For a few months, we discussed the initial proposal until we reached the screenplay for ‘Sara and Aida’.

ifilm: One of the things that catches the attention of the audience is the film’s ending, and well what do you think Sara’s decision was at the end of this film?

Miri: I thought anyone who sees this movie will place herself/himself in Sara’s shoes and ask what she/he would do if she/he were her.

It was a very scary concern of mine from the very first day of shooting.

That’s why I would constantly ask people what they would do if they were in her shoes. You either have to tell the truth and accept the responsibilities and go to prison and anything else that happens consequently or you have to tell lies and feel guilty for the rest of your life.

I would ask this question from everyone. And it was interesting that at times a few would say that they would lie and wouldn’t do it; they would ask why they have to put themselves into trouble because nothing was going to happen to her. But after some time, they would say that their guilty conscience wouldn’t let them talk.

The day I was supposed to shoot that scene, I shot it in two different versions. She both signed the documents and didn’t sign them and told the truth.

I shot it in two versions and till the end of the editing, I was wondering what I should do.

I wanted it to be what it is now. But many told me that in today’s society no one would do this; a few people are ready to sacrifice themselves for others.

However, I believe that people of our society are like the ones who are in the film’s ending.

Sometimes, they stand by some things that we never expect. Or at least I’d like to say that we are like this.

Or I’d like to say we’re willing to become like this.

That’s why I chose such an ending and used it as my film’s ending.

MG/AI/AG