Tell us a bit about yourself - all the basics! Where you’re from, where you grew up, interests, hobbies, siblings, causes you’re passionate about, anything else that comes to mind…

I am a Hazarajat-born artist, curator, and film director/producer. My mind is forever preoccupied with Afghanistan, Iran, and the Netherlands. Life's complexities and untold stories inspire me to be a voice for those who cannot share their experiences

How did you become interested in film?

Growing up in a family of storytellers, creativity and art were my solace. As I evolved, I sought new forms of expression, and cinema became my passion. Its magic world allows me to explore, discover, and understand myself better.

How did you arrive at the subject of your Close Up project?

My project stems from a lifelong quest to understand my family, particularly my enigmatic father. His presence has always been felt, even in absence, sparking questions and discomfort. This project is my journey to confront and understand.

If you weren’t a filmmaker, what might you be? What did you want to do or be growing up?

If not a filmmaker, I would be an animation storyteller like Miyazaki or a psychoanalyst. These fields offer incredible freedom and insight into the human experience.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

To my younger self: Seek guidance from mentors or therapists to navigate the complexities of being an artist, Hazara, war survivor, and immigrant. We don’t live forever, so don’t lose un-necessary time, don’t be afraid to ask for help; it's crucial to survival of yourself and your creativity and the most important one; your motivation.

Other than documentaries of course, what’s your favorite film genre and why?

Experimental hybrid cinema is my favorite genre, as it mirrors the non-linear workings of our minds. There's still much to explore and discover in this realm.

What has influenced your work as a filmmaker the most? A person, an educator, another filmmaker, a film itself, an experience, etc.?

My family, history, and life journey have influenced my work, along with numerous artists, filmmakers, and writers.

If you could have coffee with any filmmaker, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I’d rather throw a party and invite Robert Bresson, Tarkovsky, Agnes Varda, Kubrick, Petra Costa, Fellini, Godard, Frough Farrokhzad, Chris Marker and Mizoguchi, Claire Denis, James Miller, Bergman, Chantal Ackerman, Park Chan Wook and Lynch, Mila Turajlik, Kiarostami, Chaplin, Takeshita Miike and Leos Carax and ask Mahmood Darwish recite some of his poems, after a 2 minute silence, we all then get wasted as fuck!

Is there an anecdote about your project you’d like to share?

To be alive today is an act of resistance.

What accomplishment thus far are you most proud of?

I am proud to have maintained my passion for art and cinema despite the challenges and traumas I've faced.

Anything you’d like to add?

My suggestion to the younger film makers is to see Cinema as a way of discovering themself. They might think many ideas have already happen, but they should keep in mind that nothing is told by them, every person is a whole new perspective towards all ideas!