Woman and CHILD
Saeed Roostaee’s latest feature centres on Mahnaz, a widowed nurse navigating motherhood while preparing to remarry. When her son Aliyar is suspended from school, a sudden and devastating turn of events alters the course of her life, unfolding into a powerful exploration of loss, accountability, and justice.
Premiering in competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and nominated for the Palme d’Or, the film continues Roostaee’s sharp, human-focused approach to contemporary social narratives. Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Curated by Vaak Collective on 1 November at Rich Mix London. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
iN THE LAND OF BROTHERS
Curated by Vaak Collective, this screening took place as part of Vaak’s film programme on 31 October at Rich Mix, London, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Directed by Raha Amirfazli and Alireza Ghasemi, In the Land of Brothers is an award-winning debut that follows an Afghan refugee family navigating life in Iran after the US invasion. Through the intertwined stories of Mohammad, a promising teenage student, Leila, a woman shaped by isolation, and Qasem, burdened by responsibility, the film offers a deeply human portrait of displacement, resilience, and sacrifice.
Premiering at Sundance 2024, where it won the Directing Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, the film has since received multiple international accolades . The screening was followed by a Q&A with the directors.
absence
Ali Mosaffa’s ABSENCE is a hunting, mystical thriller set in Prague, where Rouzbeh, played by Mosaffa himself, investigates his father’s hidden past while confronting the life of a near-dead stranger who shares his heritage. Featuring performances by Leila Hatami, Zuzana Stivínová, and Magdalena Borová, the film explores themes of memory, identity, and belonging. With its poetic imagery and psychological depth, Absence continues Mosaffa’s acclaimed body of work as a director and actor. Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Curated by Vaak Collective on 2 November at Rich Mix London. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Finding Your Own Cinema: Independent Filmmaking Workshop with Ali Mosaffa
In this rare workshop, acclaimed Iranian filmmaker and actor Ali Mosaffa invites participants to reflect on what it means to find one’s own cinematic voice. Drawing on his decades of experience as a director and actor, Mosaffa explores the challenges of creating independent cinema in restrictive environments, the balance between artistry and integrity, and the courage required to tell deeply personal stories. This masterclass is a must for aspiring filmmakers and cinephiles alike.
This workshop was curated by Vaak Collective as part of Vaak Festival 2025 at Rich Mix, London, on 1 November.