From Azerbaijan to Filmmaking: Parvana’s Journey
Parvana’s path to documentary filmmaking is deeply personal and rooted in her own experiences. She shared with us:
"I am an emerging filmmaker, raised in a rural part of Azerbaijan. My first degree was in literature and my Master’s was in Multimedia Journalism and Media Management. I studied in Norway. My main focus is to tell human stories.
I come from a conservative family and society. To get an education and finish high school, I used to travel 14 kilometres to another neighbouring village every day. Some of my classmates couldn’t continue their education because of the patriarchal society we grew up with, its rules, and lack of a school in the village where we lived.
In the district where I grew up, I saw how illiterate women and girls were suffering and were victims of that patriarchal society and environment. I could see how children, especially girls, are silent about their unspoken dreams. I decided that I wanted to give a voice to these unspoken stories through documentary film, and through a child’s point of view."
Discovering Malahat: The Spark for the Film
Parvana's connection to Malahat goes back to the Malahat’s childhood. She explained how the idea for the film was conceived:
"I have known Malahat since she was born and I know the building where she lives. I witnessed the feelings of sadness and joy she feels inside. I observed how she expressed herself through dance, shed tears, missed her father, and healed her spiritual wounds through dance. She danced all day long, even when she was tiny. One day, I suggested to Malahat that we make a film about her and she agreed. Thus, the idea of making a film about her was born."
Ultimately, I want viewers to leave with an increased awareness of the impact of societal norms on children’s lives, and a renewed appreciation for the power of dreams and aspirations, in the face of adversity
Overcoming Obstacles: Challenges in Filmmaking
Creating this documentary came with its own set of challenges, both emotional and logistical. Parvana recounted some of these difficulties:
"During the preparation for shooting, Malahat returned to memories of her father. She seemed very sad while looking at photos of her family. This made me very sad, too. We applied for permission to film at the Choreography Academy where Malahat won a place. Unfortunately, the school did not allow us to film so we had to shoot at another school. On location, we also had some other obstacles. Once we were kicked out of some public places because we needed official permission to film, even in public spaces like a park or street. We had to find alternative solutions together as a team."
A Natural Storyteller: Parvana’s Filmmaking Style
Parvana’s approach to documentary filmmaking is one of patience and authenticity. She described her style as follows:
"My filmmaking style is about observing and allowing the story to unfold naturally. I am patient and creative. I am very interested in capturing authentic human stories, especially those that have been overlooked or suppressed. I take a documentary approach, focusing on real-life narratives that convey emotions and struggles. It’s important to maintain good communication with the protagonists. These are important ingredients for a good and realistic documentary filmmaking style."
Inspiring Empathy: The Message Behind the Film
Through her documentary, Parvana hopes to evoke empathy and awareness among viewers. She shared her vision for the impact of her film:
"I hope they will be impressed by the resilience of the characters, especially children, as they deal with the challenges of our society. In this story, I aim to provoke empathy by encouraging the audience, wherever they are in the world, to think about the universal struggles that people face in patriarchal and conservative environments. I hope to transport viewers into the worlds of female children and foster a sense of understanding and connection between different cultures.
Ultimately, I want viewers to leave with an increased awareness of the impact of societal norms on children’s lives, and a renewed appreciation for the power of dreams and aspirations, in the face of adversity."
