Qashqai Tribe: Once Upon a Time in Shiraz

Director Hamed ZOLFAGHARI | Producer Hamed ZOLFAGHARI, Valérianne BOUÉ, Verona MEIER | Iran, France, Norway | Film 90min, TV 52min/60min | 4K | Color

Project Description

Budget

Logline

The saga of nomadic heritage and the struggles of their offspring; tracing the footsteps of thieves and unearthing a lost migration route obscured by urban development.

Synopsis

Valioallah and Dorna, nearing the end of their nomadic lifestyle in southern Iran, face resistance from their sons, who prefer city life. A sheep theft sparks a family dispute over traditional versus modern ways. Sassan, the eldest son, complains about their way of life; he can't see his future anywhere but, in the city, and asks them to leave this life and settle in the city like many other nomads. Valioallah and Dorna refuse.

As spring approaches, nomads prepare to migrate, but urban expansion blocks their migration routes. Moved by a tragic accident involving sheep, Sassan orchestrates a migration through city streets to avoid dangerous highways. However, they lose their way, and the herd disperses throughout the city. In a dreamlike scene, animals find refuge in unexpected urban spaces, like monuments and commercial areas.

Director's Statement

I chose to create a film exploring the intricate relationship between the Qashqai tribe, my ancestral heritage, and the city of Shiraz, my hometown. This project began when my aunt, the last member of our nomadic family, settled in the city, marking the end of a cherished tradition. To illuminate the connections and contrasts between nomadic life and urban living in Shiraz, I started to work with the Valioallah family (who are my relatives and I know them very well). They navigate the twilight of their nomadic existence. Intrigued by their plight, I delved into their generational conflict, as their children, ensconced in city life, shun their nomadic roots.

	Hamed Zolfaghari is an Iranian filmmaker based in Tehran and founded Crazy Woodpecker Film Studio in Iran. He has made 5 documentary films that he wrote, Edited, directed, and partly produced. His works have been traveling throughout international and national platforms and festivals.
Director/Producer Hamed ZOLFAGHARI
	Graduate in political science and cultural management, and began working with the French producer Anatole Dauman. Joined Lazennec Productions and the documentary department at TS Productions. Started collaborating with Les Films d'Ici in 2006 as an editorial director before developing own projects as a producer and an associate producer.		Verona Meier is a producer who works for Storm Films in Norway. She is specialized in international co-productions and has been part of over 20 feature films, all premiering at major festivals world-wide. Recently, she was part of Shambhala by Min Bahadur Bham, the first ever Nepalese competing at Berlinale.
Producer  Valérianne BOUÉ		Producer  Verona MEIER