Radiograph of a Family Film

Family Portrait: Uncovering Hidden Narratives

Masterclass

Creating a family portrait is more than a creative project; it's a labor of love that weaves together the threads of memory, identity and storytelling. This workshop invites participants to explore their personal and familial narratives, transforming cherished memories, dreams, and even unspoken struggles into vivid, cinematic stories.

Our personal experiences—memories, dreams, and even nightmares—are not only valuable but also uniquely suited for storytelling through film. This workshop provides a structured yet flexible framework to help participants craft their family stories into narratives that can be shared with others. By delving into the emotional and historical layers of family life, participants will learn to uncover hidden narratives, challenge idealized portrayals, and create authentic, meaningful portraits.

Esta masterclass + filme pertencem à mesma sessão, não existe intervalo, será conduzida em inglês e requer inscrição prévia através de formulário para garantir lugar. A entrada na sessão é gratuita, mas é necessário levantar bilhete.

Free Registration

Radiograph of a Family

2020 | Norway, Iran, Switzerland |82 min

My mother married my father ́s photograph in Tehran. He was studying radiology in Switzerland, and for mother to come and live with him, marriage was obligatory. For my mother, with her religious background, living in Europe was a challenge. Sin was everywhere. My father came from a liberal and secular family. He was a lover of culture, fine arts, classical music. My mother never understood how he for example could treasure a painting depicting nude bodies.  After I was born, we moved from Switzerland back to Tehran. Shortly after, the Revolution happened and changed everything upside down. My mother found new reason and new identity, an important space for herself: She became a religious activist, school principal and did military training. My father sat quietly in his favorite chair at home and listened to Bach. In our house, there were no more card playing or red wine. My mother ́s prayer mat, and my prayer mat, were placed next to each other in the living room, by the window. Photographs of women without hijab, were ripped apart. My mother censored the past - while my father dreamt of a different future.  I was torn between my two parents. Our family was split. For a little girl, it was difficult and painful. As my identity developed, I carried both of them inside me. I still do, till this day. I am the result of Iran ́s struggle between tradition and modernization. My story is told through photographs, archive footage, letters and voices. Our home in Tehran becomes a metaphor of the shifts in our family, hence in modern Iranian society. 

Firouzeh Khosrovani

Born in Tehran, Firouzeh Khosrovani settled in Italy to pursue her artistic studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan.

She made her debut as a filmmaker in (2004) with Life Train, In (2007) she directed Rough Cut, a film about mutilated plastic mannequins in the shop windows of Tehran, followed in (2008) by Cutting Off, an installation and video art piece for the museum of Triennale di Milano.

Her 1001 Irans (2010), was a documentary about the image of Iran, outside of Iran. Espelho Meu (2011) Iran, Unveiled and Veiled Again (2012) Profession: Documentarist, (2014) a film in seven episodes, made by seven Iranian women directors.

Fest of Duty (2014), is about a religious ceremony in Iran designed to instill Islamic beliefs and values into girls, when they reach the age of nine.

Radiograph of a Family (2020) is a Pre- and Post-revolutionary story of the daughter of a secular father and a devout Muslim mother as they co-exist under one roof. Winner of “Creative Use of Archive” and “Best film” at Idfa 2020.