Moments of Receiving the Oscar from the Sweet Voice of Shohreh; When the Miracle Happened

The Oscar for Best Short Animation was the third Oscar for Iranian cinema, awarded to Iranian filmmakers Shirin Soohani and Hossein Malayemi for their short animation film 'In the Shadow of the Cypress.' In a previous interview with 'Sahneh' on Radio Farda, these filmmakers had described the possibility of winning the Oscar as akin to a miracle. In a recent interview with Radio Farda after receiving the award, Shirin Soohani provided insights about their remarks during the Oscar ceremony, the surrounding controversies, and their perspective on the impact of this award. She also mentioned the difficult living conditions in Iran and the psychological pressures on the people, stating that while receiving an Oscar might uplift spirits, it is not enough. In a conversation prior to the Oscar ceremony, they compared the possibility of winning the award to a miracle. Soohani expressed that they believed their chances of winning were very low due to their small promotional campaign and the fact that their competitors had won significant awards before the Oscars, such as the BAFTA. Both she and Malayemi deeply wished to win this award, not only for themselves but to create a sense of joy for the people. They live in a situation where there is a great need for energy, motivation, and good news. Soohani emphasized that they prayed from the bottom of their hearts to inject even a small amount of joy into the lives of the people. The moment their names were announced as winners was both a remarkable and controversial moment. Some accused Malayemi of interrupting Soohani's speech and repeating her words. Reflecting on that moment, Soohani acknowledged the immense pressure they faced upon arriving at the ceremony and the stress of speaking on the most significant cinematic stage in the world. She noted that no one could perform their best under such conditions and that people should not be judged based on their behavior in those moments. Soohani felt that the audience was supportive and engaged, and after the ceremony, many congratulated them, expressing appreciation for their remarks. The positive reactions led them to believe that their speech was not only acceptable but well-received. She believes that people can distinguish between sincerity and performance, which is why authenticity resonates with them. The award has garnered widespread reactions from prominent Iranian filmmakers, including Asghar Farhadi and Mohammad Rasoulof, who congratulated them. Soohani expressed pride in receiving such recognition and hopes that this Oscar will boost confidence among Iranian filmmakers, encouraging them to continue their work despite the dire economic conditions in the country. She stressed that while the award is significant, it is not sufficient to change the challenging realities faced by artists in Iran, and more needs to be done to create an environment where hope can flourish in Iranian cinema and the arts.