Spurred by a provocative family memory and a lifetime of separation from the country her mother left behind, a young filmmaker delves into her mother and grandmother's complicated pasts, and her own fractured Iranian identity.
SYNOPSIS
Filmmaker Sierra Urich grew up in rural Vermont, a place and an upbringing far removed from Iran, the homeland of her mother, Mitra, and grandmother, Behjat. Only knowing Iran through family stories, food, and holidays, and with the prospect of travel to the country a seemingly impossible dream, she embarks on a personal quest to make sense of her fractured Iranian identity. Navigating barriers of language and culture (not to mention the complications of geopolitical conflict and displacement), Sierra turns to Mitra and Behjat to construct a deeply moving and sometimes disarmingly funny portrait of three generations of women and their complex relationship to an Iran of the past.
Named for a Farsi term of endearment, Joonam is infused with humor and heart like only a film about family could be. Interrogating family history and memory, including her grandmother’s experiences as a preteen bride and her mother’s rebellious teenage years during the Iranian Revolution, Sierra Urich constructs a rich, personal film that poignantly reflects the experiences of the Iranian diasporic community and speaks to anyone affected by the dislocation that accompanies immigration.
Supporter Statement
“A touching look at intergenerational immigrant identity” -- IndieWire
“A heartfelt exploration of those living within a diaspora, the fractured connection each generation has to their own culture, and the irrevocable bond of shared roots.” -- Roger Ebert
“Blazingly original” -- The Moveable Fest
“An especially timely meditation on what it means to be Iranian-American in this moment.” -- PopSugar
“Positively mythical” -- Variety
“An unforgettable ending, this movie will remind you that human relationships and familial dynamics are universal.” -- Cherry Picks
“A profoundly delicate and tender film” -- Film Fest Report
“A funny and moving documentary about immigrants, mothers and daughters, and the disorienting feeling of missing a place you've never been. Beautiful and deeply personal work from Sierra Urich.” -- Citizen Dame
ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)
Sierra Urich
SIERRA URICH is an Iranian-American ("neem-rooni"), award-winning filmmaker, and interdisciplinary visual artist based in Vermont. She was recently nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, and was honored in Doc NYC’s 2023 40 Under 40 list. Urich received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design, and was an artist-in-residence at The Banff Centre for the Arts 2017, Sundance Nonfiction Directors Residency Fellow 2018, Points North Fellow 2018, Firelight Doc Lab Fellow 2021, Chicken & Egg Eggcelerator Lab Fellow 2022, and was twice shortlisted for a Creative Capital Award (2020, 2021). She is also a proud member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia, A-DOC, and Film Fatales. Urich is currently on the festival circuit with her first feature film, Joonam, which premiered in competition at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and recently took home three jury awards for Best Documentary at the Cleveland International Film Festival, the Bentonville Film Festival, and the Sharjah Film Platform. She works professionally as an editor and director.
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