Bahman Ghobadi: I Have No Plans to Go to Iran

During the recent Berlin Film Festival, several Iranian filmmakers presented their new films. Among them was Bahman Ghobadi, a well-known filmmaker who came to Berlin as a producer of a documentary film. This episodic film is titled 'Life on the Border' and is made by a number of displaced Kurdish children from Iraq and Syria. I spoke with Bahman Ghobadi about this film and his recent cinematic activities. Ghobadi explained that the idea for 'Life on the Border' came while he was involved in another documentary in the camps of Iraqi Kurdistan. He observed that various individuals were providing help and education to the camp residents: a doctor was treating patients, an artist was teaching painting, and the famous photographer Reza Daghati was gathering people to teach them photography. Ghobadi thought he could teach cinema. During the filming of his project, he invited seven Iranian Kurdish filmmakers to participate. They held filmmaking classes for about six to seven months, selecting one hundred children from four camps and initially teaching them photography. Half of the children were Syrian Kurds and the other half were Yazidis from Shingal, Iraq. They were divided into groups focusing on photography, cinematography, and directing. Ghobadi purchased around thirty-five amateur cameras for the children to learn photography. He hoped that if they returned to their cities and faced another event, they could capture photos and videos to share online. During the classes, fourteen films were produced. The children chose the subjects of their films, and each participant also became a filmmaker, sharing ten minutes about their lives. Initially, there was no intention to produce a film, but after seeing the children's work, Ghobadi decided to compile it into a feature film. He called an editor from Iran to help with the editing and sound design. Most of the seven filmmakers who participated were his assistants and Iranian Kurds. Ghobadi covered the costs himself, which were quite low, totaling less than twenty-five thousand dollars. The film's distribution rights were sold to several television stations, including NHK, and a French distributor has also requested the film. Three and a half months ago, President Obama and his team viewed the film, and it has been introduced through human rights organizations. Overall, positive developments have occurred for the film, which exceeded their expectations. They are currently working on a second version, collaborating on four more serious projects with the returning Iraqi Kurds from Shingal. Ghobadi also mentioned that he is working on a documentary titled 'Flag Without a Country,' which is not yet complete and focuses on Kurdistan and the situation of Iraqi Kurds. He will return from Berlin and has a week of filming ahead, needing further changes. Recently, Hojatollah Ayubi, the head of the Iranian Cinema Organization, made a comment about the possibility of Ghobadi returning to Iran. Ghobadi acknowledged Ayubi's kind words but stated that he does not know these friends and currently does not wish to return. He is too busy with work to consider returning, as he is involved in several projects for others and his own remaining project. He mentioned that he might make a film in China if possible.