Nasser Saffarian

Nasser Saffarian

Saffarian’s method of documentary filmmaking alternates between a poetic style and a more reflexive style. Those that are poetic contemplate love, loss, life, and pleasure through the use of poetry, music, and, in a few instances, politics. It is evident that he not only aims to showcase a particular, sometimes hidden truth in these documentaries but also to create a unique “feeling” in each by incorporating creative compositions and challenging juxtapositions. These documentaries are correspondingly reflexive, as Saffarian’s approach to his topics clearly indicates a knowledge of literary aesthetics. By including interviews of a close circle of acquaintances, he constructs intimate portraits and precious moments of closeness to the subject of his works. Saffarian’s mode of telling a story is singular, captivating, and full of poetic moments, and his films are undoubtedly worth watching and appreciating. His oeuvre is a testament to his sharp mind and lyrical creativity.

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Nasser Saffarian
  • The Green Cold

    سردِ سبز
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2002 • Iran
    The first part of the Forough Farrokhzad's trilogy, The Green Cold examining the iconoclastic life of Forough Farrokhzad and her relationship with supporters and critics alike. Iran's most controversial and influential female of Persian poetry a...

  • The Mirror Of The Soul

    جامِ جان
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2002 • Iran
    The second part of the Forough Farrokhzad's trilogy, The Mirror of the Soul, is an hour long tribute to the memory of Iranian poet and director Forough Farrokhzad, who died tragically in 1967 at only 32 years of age. This film focuses on Farrokh...

  • Summit Of The Wave

    اوجِ موج
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2004 • Iran
    The third part of the Forough Farrokhzad's trilogy, Summit of the Wave is an inspiring retrospective of Iranian director and poet Forough Farrokhzad. Dying tragically in 1967, at the tender age of 32, Farrokhzad had a short but illustrious caree...

  • A Good Time For Tragedy

    وقتِ خوبِ مصائب
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2006 • Iran
    Tribute documentary by Nasser Saffarian about influential poet and screenwriter Ahmadreza Ahmadi, the leading figure in Iran's New Wave Poetry movement. As Ahmadi provides insights into his life, the importance of knowing himself and his ...

  • Care For Me, Lady!

    بانو مرا دریاب
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2010 • Iran
    'Care For Me Lady' focuses on the life of Ahmad Reza Ahmadi, one of the greatest poets of the New Wave in Iranian poetry. His distinctly unusual and surreal style is easily recognizable, setting him apart from his peers. Nasser Saffarian's...

  • The Emperor and Us

    امپراطور و ما
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2006 • Iran
    A documentary centering the works of legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa from the point of view of Iranian film critics and filmmakers and three of Kurosawa's colleagues. This documentary explores Kurosawa's major films, discussing ...

  • Freedom In The Fog

    آزادی در مِه
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2007 • Iran
    This intriguing short portrays the lifestyle of a Spanish woman living in Washington D.C. as she protests the American occupation of Iraq. Residing in a tent directly outside of the White House, Conception Picciotto is a constant presence am...

  • Crossed-Out Memories

    خاطره‌هایِ خط‌خطی
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2015 • Iran
    A fascinating insight into the Iranian pop music industry, Nasser Saffarian examines the history of the 'anti-love song,' a form that rejects the idea of the conventional love song in favor of darker subject matter, such as bitterness, ...

  • The Night of Infatuation

    شبِ شیدایی
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2015 • Iran
    This vibrant documentary takes us on a historical journey of Iranian music throughout the 20th century. In order to understand our recent past, however, the film casts its eye back even further; we learn that following the Arab conquest, Zoroa...

  • I'm Just A Poet, Officer!

    من فقط شاعرم، جناب سروان!
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2016 • Iran
    An intimist documentary on Iranian songwriter and poet Yaghma Golrouee. Alternating performance footage, poetic digressions and interviews with the poet, the film explores Iranian music and songwriting through the years, chiefly...

  • The Unfinished Childhood

    کودکی ناتمام
    Directed by Nasser Saffarian • 2021 • Iran
    A Documentary about childhood and children poetry in Iran, after the Islamic Revolution.