ifilm's exclusive report on Iranian feature 'Mothering'

Watch ifilm's exclusive report on the Iranian movie ‘Mothering’ directed by Roqiyeh Tavakoli and produced by Siavash Haqiqi, starring child actress Anna Zare.

Below are highlights of the report.

ifilm: Roqiyeh Tavakkoli, the director, has made a number of short films, but this is her first feature film and it has recently hit the screens.

Tavakoli: I made my first short film in 2006. After that, I made lots of short films which participated in different festivals. Then, gradually, the chance to make feature films and enter the professional cinema industry came up.

My screenplay was ready, so I made 'Motherhood'. Everyone would ask me why I don't make feature films, that I should've begun a long time ago.

But my reply was that I'm not in a rush. But then it happened.

ifilm: Roqiyeh Tavakoli isn't an amateur. She has made a couple of short films, but when she was making this movie, she asked the help of some other directors too.

Tavakoli: To tell you the truth, I've never been on the set of a feature film. 'Motherhood' is the first one.

A few times, I've been offered to be an assistant but I didn't get the chance to do it. It wasn't like that I didn't like to, I didn't get the chance to.

'Mothering' was the first feature film and I managed it. I was the director. But the problem is that... I have good friends like Ms. Ashrafizadeh who has already made her feature film and was experienced. We were in touch.

Once, I went to the backstage of her movie. We were in touch, we'd talk but it wasn't like I'd talk to female directors and ask how it was, no. Because I've made short films for 11 years and I wasn't afraid or anxious to be on a set, honestly.

ifilm: Child actors have a harder time than adults, maybe it's because they can't read or click with their roles, or maybe it's because they just don't like jam.

Zare: I played the part of a child. I went through a lot of difficulties. But it was worth it. They helped me and I was able to perform my part better.

The scene I was able to handle well was when I was playing with the dolls. For example, I'd say, now you should sleep here and you should sleep over there.

MG/AI/AG