Born in Tehran and a graduate of English Literature, Nasser Saffarian is one of the most acclaimed and noteworthy documentary filmmakers in Iran. Since 1991, he has been actively writing and collaborating with a number of film magazines, including Film, Adineh, Gozaresh-e-Film, Donya-y-e-Tasvir, and many others. He is the author of two books, titled The poet who is not like his poems and The Chants of Sigh.
His 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.
Docunight has curated ten significant documentaries by Nasser Saffarian, and is proudly releasing them on its platform.
The Green Cold [سرد سبز] (2002, 60 mins) centers on the personal life of Forough Farrokhzad, Iran’s most celebrated contemporary poet. The Mirror of the Soul [جام جان] (2002, 60 min) is an exploration of Farrokhzad controversial, sometimes erotic poetry; and Summit of the Wave [اوج موج] (2004, 31 min) is an overview of her work in theater and film, including her groundbreaking film The House Is Black.
A Good Time for Tragedy [وقت خوب مصائب] (2006, 57 mins) and Care for Me, Lady! [بانو، مرا دریاب] (2010, 22 mins) are two documentaries that showcase the life and work of Ahmadreza Ahmadi, an Iranian poet and prominent figure in Iran’s New Wave Poetry movement. By using original recordings of Ahmadi reciting his poems and giving readings and talks, Saffarian creates an intimate portrait of this remarkable poet.
The Emperor and Us [امپراطور و ما] (2006, 40 mins) explores the works of legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa from the point of view of Iranian film critics, filmmakers, and Kurosawa’s colleagues.
Freedom in the Fog [آزادی در مه] (2007, 20 mins) is an intriguing documentary focused on Spanish anti-war activist Concepción Picciotto, taking place in Washington, D.C. as she protests the American occupation of Iraq.
Crossed-out Memories [خاطره های خط خطی] (2015, 40 mins) is a fascinating insight into the Iranian pop music industry, in which Saffarian examines the history of the “anti-love song,” a form that rejects the idea of the conventional, uplifting love song in favor of a darker subject, such as bitterness, betrayal, and regret.
The Night of Infatuation [شب شیدایی] (2015, 89 mins) takes the viewer back in time on a nostalgic and musical journey. This film is about the trajectory of music by Zoroastrian musicians, who emphasized expression in their music and led it to become the massive industry it is today.
I’m Just a Poet, Officer [من فقط شاعرم جناب سروان] (2016, 73 mins) is a documentary on Iranian songwriter and poet Yaghma Golrouee. The film looks at socio-political songs before and after the Revolution of ‘79 and highlights the importance of poetry in music.
