World Premiere
Hemela left Iran as a young adult to build a new life in Montreal. Now an older woman, her story unfolds not through sweeping politics but the small moments that define a life — family gatherings, the aroma of shared meals, and laughter with friends. Beloved for her cuisine, humour, and radiant presence, Hemela embodies the strength of migration and the ability to adapt while carrying forward traditions that connect past and present.
Pirouz Nemati’s documentary invites viewers into this intimate world, celebrating the extraordinary within the everyday. With sensitivity, grace and an appearance by Denis Villeneuve, the film reminds us that stories of resilience are often found in kitchens, living rooms, and community tables — places where joy, wisdom, and memory come together. Hemela is both personal and universal, offering a heartfelt tribute to a life lived fully.
Hemela will be preceded by the short film, Solitudes by Ryan McKenna.
About the short film: Upon befriending Jocelyn at their French language class, Behrouz catsits for her while she goes on a trip to find her ancestor’s unmarked grave.
Oct 5: Q&A
Presented by
Media Partner
Community Partner
Hemela Pourafzal
Canada/Iran
2025
In French and Persian with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Wednesday October 08
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Producer
Pirouz Nemati
Screenwriter
Pirouz Nemati
Cinematography
Ariane Lorrain
Editor
Pirouz Nemati
Pirouz Nemati
Born in Iran in 1987, Pirouz Nemati is an independent filmmaker, artist, and actor currently based in Montreal. He studied photography, film, and media arts at Emily Carr University and holds a BFA in film production from Concordia University. Nemati’s films, video, and photography work have been showcased in Iran, Canada, and the US. Most recently, he served as an executive producer, co-screenwriter, and actor in Matthew Rankin’s award winning film Universal Language (2024).
Northern Lights
See more films in this series
Hemela
Hemela is a tender documentary celebrating resilience and cultural memory in a diasporic community. Through food, laughter, and tradition, Pirouz Nemati crafts a luminous portrait of a woman whose everyday life radiates extraordinary warmth and joy.
Akashi
In Mayumi Yoshida’s tender drama, struggling artist Kana journeys to Tokyo to attend her grandmother’s funeral. While there, she reconnects with her childhood love and stumbles across a family secret that prompts her to reconsider her place in the world.
Clan of the Painted Lady
Jennifer Chiu’s engrossing documentary explores the Hakka — a people, a language, and a culture that have been obscured for far too long. Tracing her own lineage back to from Canada to China, the director creates an illuminating, bravely personal film.
A Welcome Distraction
In the wake of a personal tragedy, a young man living in Vancouver does whatever he can to avoid reconnecting with his family. An ambient ode to our city, and a sensitive and relatable portrait of life within it.
Modern Whore
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Levers
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Nesting
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Follies
After two kids and 16 years of marriage, François and Julie decide to open up their relationship in a bid to rekindle their dwindling sex life. A painfully hilarious and brutally honest depiction of love, sex, and intimacy.