Young Ali: those were the days
Logline:
After losing his job and divorcing his wife during the first wave of Covid, circa 2020, a middle-aged Persian
man moves back home to reinvent himself, physically and mentally, by confronting his personal afflictions and
shedding his past.
Crew:
Directed by Amir Motlagh
Written by Amir Motlagh & Charles Borg
Produced by ANIMALS + Charles Borg
Cinematography: Amir Motlagh
Music Score: Amir Motlagh
Editing: Amir Motlagh, Charles Borg
Sound Design & Sound Editor: Kris Frazen
Post Production Sound Supervisor: John Otterbacher (HiFi Studios Chicago)
Animation: Hannah High, Joshua Townsend
Keyart: Martin Nilchian, Amir Motlagh
Translation: Mahsa Hosseini
Drone Operator: Alberto Moreno
Cast:
Ali - Amir Motlagh
Dad - Yousef Motlagh
Mom - Atefeh Galledari
Voices:
Tom Deters
Michael Flowers
Darren Stephens
Lindsy Ashcroff
Steve Dwye
Hadis Alahyari
Technical:
Color
Runtime 97 min.
Aspect Ration 1:33:1, 1:85:1
Stereo + Dolby 5.1 Surround Available
Official Selections & Awards (ongoing):
- Austin Arthouse Film Festival 2024
- Berlin Indie Film Festival 2023 - Winner “Best Feature Film”
- Art Film Spirit Awards 2023 - Winner “Best Indie Film”
- Experimental Forum 2024 - Honorable Mention
- Bridge Video 2024 Official Selection
- Film Noir Cinema - IDLA in NYC
- Blow Up Art House Film Festival Chicago - Semi Finalist 3rd Place in Competition
Directors Statement:
This project was conceived at the beginning of the covid pandemic when fear, uncertainty, and doubt ruled our lives. With restrictions in place, the limitations imposed forced a methodology and structure of filmmaking relating to the times and lent themselves graciously towards personal auteur pursuits.
My work focuses on stories that evoke the mirror of reality, but offer something more: truth, emotional discovery, and the beauty in the ordinary, where most of life is lived. This is a work that will resonate with those seeking a better and more honest understanding of themselves, and even those desperately searching for it anyway they can, in what the masses might consider, “McSpiritualism.”
Either way, humans find a way.
With the help of Charles (my co-producer), we conceived a narrative out of life itself and worked around all Covid restrictions by diving headfirst into a mix of realism, naturalism & animism, utilizing non-actors and using tools and locations that were available.
The story of a middle-aged Iranian American man is not often seen on screen, and in particular, an Iranian family unit. Ali's story advocates the idea that identity is fluid and that our past does not have to dictate our future happiness.
Pull Quotes and Press Links:
A Cyclops at the Cinema
Transactions with Beauty
“…an engaging, uncompromising, intimate portrait… There’s something magical about Motlagh’s films… It did what great cinema and stories do: it used a lens directed elsewhere to tell me a larger truth about my life…”
- Cyclops at the CINEMA
“Another dreamy, wholly character-driven piece from this filmmaking team … Offers an almost
observational yet pensive glimpse into humanity.”
- Matt Joseph Misetich Partner, Pipeline Media Group
“…a clear and distinct voice… and I appreciate the mixture of humor and pathos.”
- Andrew Stone Programmer, Slamdance Breakouts
“…a beautiful film… it is a really intimate, quietly crafted, brave reflection on the small moments that make great changes in our lives… brave and emotionally intense… a very important voice.”
- Barry Smoot Artistic Director, Programmer | Paramount Theater, 24 fps
