Winner of the 2009 Noor Film Festival: Niloofar
By Gary Miraz
A Review of the Award Winning Film Directed by Sabine El GemayelTaking place on the once war-torn borders of Iraq and Iran, the film tells the story of Niloofar (Mobina Aynehdar), a twelve-year-old girl with high ambitions to learn how to read and write and become a doctor due to the teachings of a local modern woman, Banoo (Fatemeh Motamed Aria). Her mother, Salmah (Roya Nownahali), on the other hand, is a midwife and insists her daughter follows in her footsteps.
The story becomes more complicated when Sheikh Abbas (Tooraj Faramarzian) approaches Niloofar’s father, Abdoullah (Sadegh Safai) and asks for his daughter’s hand in marriage as soon as she becomes a woman. At first, he respectfully desists but is swayed by the Sheik’s offering of land and an inheritance from forthcoming grandchildren.
When Niloofar hears about her fate, she does everything in her power to prolong her childhood freedom and classes by concealing her periods. After two years she is found out and she runs away. Her family feels dishonored and sends her stepbrother to track her down.
Director and writer Sabine El Gemayel shows the emotional oppression within the Muslim community. During the question and answer portion at the screening, she revealed some of the difficulties she endured through the filming. One example was the original actor chosen to play the role of Niloofar bowed out at last moment due to conflicts between the scri pt and her beliefs. Local Resident Mobina Aynehdar was found after a two-day whirlwind of interviews of local girls, who, instead of readings, were asked questions to see if they would be able to complete the role without making compromises.
Niloofar will be particularly appeal to American audiences. With beautiful cinematography and subtle ethnic soundtrack, it beckons for repeated viewings, and shows a different side of the Muslim ideals.
