Screening of the Documentary 'A Gem in the Desert'; Mary Apick: I Dedicated the First Screening of the Film to Tomaj Salehi and Shervin Hajipour

The screening of the documentary 'A Gem in the Desert' by renowned Iranian-American artist Mary Apick has been well received at film festivals. Ms. Apick told Voice of America that she dedicated the first screening of 'A Gem in the Desert' to Tomaj Salehi and Shervin Hajipour, two young Iranian singers. This work is about a brass band (The Desert Brass Band) in the city of Surprise, Arizona, whose members are all retirees enjoying their middle and old age. The group, consisting of 38 musicians, has performed in concerts, music festivals, and various cultural programs over the years and has gained significant popularity. During this time, some members of the band have passed away, but other artists have replaced them to continue this exciting musical journey. The film 'A Gem in the Desert' aims to reach the final list for the Oscar in the documentary category by screening at 25 film festivals, given its engaging story and inspiring message. Mary Apick, the writer, director, and producer of this work, explained her motivation for making the film to Voice of America: 'I wanted to show that we should pursue our dreams at any age, strive, not give up, create, share our experiences with others, and continue life energetically, just like the members of this music group.' The documentary 'A Gem in the Desert' is a combination of interviews and musical performances, where group members explain their reasons and motivations for this musical adventure. Friends and family members also speak about these artists and the importance of this music group in their lives. One of the key figures in this documentary is a five-year-old girl named Abigail, who dreams of becoming a musician and creates impactful moments within the story. Mary Apick states: 'My mother and I, Apick Youssefian, graduated from the Tehran Conservatory of Music. My major during that golden era of Iran was ballet, piano, and Persian literature. Therefore, music has always been an important part of my life; I have had concerts, play the piano, and in the past, I composed pieces for children; I have a great passion for music.' She adds: 'On the other hand, considering that I have worked for years on issues related to Iran and that almost 99% of my projects are about women, men, and the people of Iran, and I have tried to raise awareness, I thought this was an interesting story that also has a positive, inspiring, and hopeful message for Iranians.' According to Ms. Apick, the members of this group were not professional artists and had other jobs in the past, such as pilots, doctors, lawyers, or engineers, but due to previous training in music and personal interest, they joined this group in retirement. Mary Apick notes that after watching several concerts of this group, which were very enjoyable and full of energy, she decided to make this documentary, describing the group members as gems in the desert and dry areas of Arizona that create memorable moments for others. According to Ms. Apick, retirement is not the end of life, and the musicians of this group show that one can still have goals, be active, be happy, and create joy. She adds: 'The members of this group do not work for money and fame; they love music. They understand that music should move people, impact them, make them happy, and make them laugh; they want to pass these values on to the younger generation. This Iranian artist states that music is an international language and can connect with everyone, which is why the documentary 'A Gem in the Desert' has received positive reactions from audiences with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Mary Apick hopes that this documentary will be nominated for an Oscar. However, she reminds that competition in this category is very tough, and usually, works focusing on political, social, or environmental issues reach the final stages. According to Ms. Apick, 'A Gem in the Desert' is a unique and impactful work, and its screening in the cities of Arizona and Los Angeles was very successful. She points out the importance of music in life, stating that unfortunately, there are difficult conditions in Iran, and Iranian youth, women, and men, especially artists, are oppressed under the Islamic Republic. Ms. Apick says she dedicated the first screening of 'A Gem in the Desert' to Tomaj Salehi and Shervin Hajipour, two young Iranian singers who cannot freely express their emotions and social stories due to existing restrictions in Iran. According to Mary Apick, the documentary 'A Gem in the Desert' will be available to enthusiasts through streaming networks after screening at film festivals, and negotiations in this regard are ongoing.