CIRCUMSTANCE -- Writer/director Maryam Keshavarz & actor Reza Sixo Safai
From: Andrea Chase
Series: Behind the Scenes
Length: 14:29
Maryam Keshavarz and Rexa Sixo Safai knew that making a film that was critical of the repressive regime running Iran would have repercussions, Both have family still living there that they might not be able to see again soon. When I spoke with them on May 3, 2011, that was the first thing I wanted to discuss with them. Safai, like Keshavarz thought it was worth the risk, and then went on to describe phone calls back to Iran from the United States during which his father would warn him to be careful what he said because someone might be listening in. They went on to describe the similarities between Lebanon, where the film was shot, and Iran, as well as circumventing the censorship that the film's frank depiction of same-sex attraction might have incurred.
Also in the Behind the Scenes series
AT ANY PRICE -- Ramin Bahrani Interview
(17:52)
From: Andrea Chase
Ramin Bahrani talks corporate corruption, Roger Ebert’s friendship, and calling Werner Herzog for advice.
STORIES WE TELL -- Sarah Polley Interview
(08:48)
From: Andrea Chase
Sarah Polley talks relative truth, the privilege being quiet, and narrative as a tonic for bewilderment.
SIMON KILLER -- Antonio Campos Interview
(21:18)
From: Andrea Chase
Antonio Campos talks religious prostitutes, music as plot point, and the choreography of life.
THE PINK PANTHER -- Robert Wagner & Robert Osborne Interview
(16:13)
From: Andrea Chase
Robert Osborne and Robert Wagner talk improvisation,Charlie Chaplin, and the evolution of screen size.
ROOM 237 -- Rodney Ascher Phone Interview
(08:19)
From: Andrea Chase
Rodney Ascher talks creeping terror, subliminal messages, and the tropes of long-form storytelling.
UPSTREAM COLOR -- SHANE CARRUTH Interview.
(20:39)
From: Andrea Chase
Shane Carruth talks the illusion of free will, the synchronicity of Thoreau, and his almost collaboration with Rian Johnson on LOOPER.
DISCONNECT -- Max Theriot Interview
(13:42)
From: Andrea Chase
Max Theriot talks breathing right, staying gold, and giving it his all.
TRANCE -- Danny Boyle Phone Interview
(12:00)
From: Andrea Chase
Danny Boyle talks meeting royalty, seducing the audience, and training Rosario Dawson’s voice.
REALITY -- Matteo Garrone Phone Interview
(11:33)
From: Andrea Chase
Matteo Garrone talks materialism, capitalism, and why he cast someone serving a life sentence as his star.
GIMME THE LOOT -- Adam Leon Interview
(14:44)
From: Andrea Chase
Adam Leon talks anxiety attacks, passing the smell test, and taking what New York threw at him.
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Maryam Keshavarz and Rexa Sixo Safai knew that making a film that was critical of the repressive regime running Iran would have repercussions, Both have family still living there that they might not be able to see again soon. When I spoke with them on May 3, 2011, that was the first thing I wanted to discuss with them. Safai, like Keshavarz thought it was worth the risk, and then went on to describe phone calls back to Iran from the United States during which his father would warn him to be careful what he said because someone might be listening in. They went on to describe the similarities between Lebanon, where the film was shot, and Iran, as well as circumventing the censorship that the film's frank depiction of same-sex attraction might have incurred.
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Andrea Chase takes you Behind the Scenes of CIRCUMSTANCE with writer/director Maryam Keshabarz and Reza Sixo Safai. CIRCUMSTANCE is a look at underground culture that flourishes in contemporary Iran far from the prying eyes of parents and the revolution’s morality police, and the way it forces people, even families, to lie to one another. The restrictions placed on girls is at odds with the sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll in which wealthy Atafeh and orphaned Shireen indulge behind locked doors. The sixteen-year-olds growing attraction to one another is countered by the return of Atafeh’s brother, Mehran, played by Safai, fresh from drug rehab and at loose ends, he finds himself dreaming about Shireen, and channeling his addictive personality into religion, joining the very morality police that his sister and her friend are defying. Keshavarz directed from her own script and this is her directorial debut.
OUTRO:Andrea Chase has taken you Behind the Scenes of CIRCUMSTANCE with its writer/director Maryam Keshavarz and actor Reza Sixo Safai.
