Canadian Premiere
Joonam (a ubiquitous Persian term of endearment, literally, “My life/my dear”, which can be ascribed to anything touching, funny, sad or sweet) is a beautiful and intimate film about home and exile. Navigating barriers of language and culture, Sierra Urich embarks on a personal quest to make sense of her mixed-race, Iranian identity. While Sierra struggles with Farsi, her grandmother, Behjat, speaks in broken English. By translating, Sierra’s mother, Mitra, becomes the bridge between the two generations; she’s also representative of that generation of Iranian women who paid the price of revolution more than any other, and of those who immigrated for a better future for their children. Urich’s delightful documentary paints a well-constructed, deeply moving and sometimes disarmingly humorous portrait of three generations of women and their complex relationship to an Iran of the past. Just like the word, Joonam is both simple and complex; it will make you laugh out loud and bring tears to your eyes.
USA
2023
Focus
In English and Farsi with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Executive Producer
Maida Lynn, Ruth Ann Harnisch, Bill Harnisch
Producer
Keith Wilson, Sierra Urich
Cinematography
Sierra Urich
Editor
Sierra Urich
Director
Sierra Urich
Sierra Urich is a Persian-American interdisciplinary visual artist and filmmaker based in Vermont. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and Film from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2013. She was an artist-in-residence at The Banff Centre for the Arts 2017, Sundance Nonfiction Directors Fellow 2018, and Points North Fellow 2018, Firelight Doc Lab Fellow 2021, and Chicken & Egg Eggcelerator Lab Fellow 2022. Joonam is her first feature film.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Souleymane's Story
Exhausted by the grueling grind of the Parisian gig economy and hopping between homeless shelters, Guinean immigrant Souleymane races against time to prepare for his asylum interview. An angry, tender film which is as gripping as any thriller.
The Last Class
Economist and former US Secretary of Labor Robert Reich embarks on what will be his last year teaching at Berkeley. What can he impart to the latest generation to inspire and empower them for the grievous challenges ahead?
The Balconettes
In this flamboyant black comedy set in Marseille during a heatwave, writer-director-star Noémie Merlant and her two besties have to cover up the unpleasant evidence of a disastrous night partying with the hunk across the way.
Monk in Pieces
A playful and engaging portrait of the avant-garde singer, composer, choreographer and performance artist Meredith Monk. Philip Glass, David Byrne and Bjork share their observations.