Under the Terrifying Shadow of the 60s; Interview with Babak Anvari, Director of 'Under the Shadow'

With the introduction of the Persian-language film 'Under the Shadow' by Britain for competition in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 2017 Oscars, the film's screening has also begun in cinemas across the country. 'Under the Shadow' is the first feature film by its young creator, Babak Anvari, and was showcased last year at the prestigious Sundance Festival. The film's story takes place in 1988, at the height of the Iran-Iraq War and the missile bombardment of Tehran, and it tells a terrifying tale of the relationship between a mother and her young daughter after a malfunctioning missile strikes their apartment. In a weekly scene program with an interview with Babak Anvari, the director of 'Under the Shadow', he discusses his beginnings in filmmaking, his experiences in the UK, and the significance of the war in his film. Anvari shares that he was born during the war and has vivid memories of air raids and bombings, which influenced his storytelling. He chose the horror genre to depict the anxiety of that time, noting that international audiences are often unaware of this historical period despite the Iran-Iraq War being one of the longest conflicts of the 20th century. He emphasizes the universal theme of a mother-child relationship, which resonates globally, while the specific context of the story adds a unique twist. The casting process involved finding lesser-known actors from various countries, all of whom could speak Persian well and were passionate about the project. Anvari expresses satisfaction with the film's authenticity and hopes it will resonate with Iranian audiences. He acknowledges the challenges of reconstructing the atmosphere of 1980s Iran, which he managed to achieve in Jordan, where filming took place. He also reflects on the growing trend among young Iranian filmmakers towards the horror genre, attributing it to the genre's global appeal and the lack of such films being made in Iran. Anvari is hopeful for the film's reception in Iran, although he doubts it will be officially screened due to potential sensitivities. The film was selected by Britain for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars, which is a rare occurrence, and Anvari expresses pride in this recognition.