Esfahan, Iran. Melina lives with her grandparents since her parents' divorce. She wants to live with her mother, but this is not possible because both her father and new stepfather are against it. Besides that, Melina's mother struggles balancing her relationship with her new spouse and fostering a proper relationship with her daughter. Celebrating her 9th birthday, Melina is finally old enough to bring her custody case to court. With the law on her side, she hopes to eventually choose her own custodian. Unfortunately, Melina is not aware of how the adult world is organized and how reality will probably play out differently.
FILM DETAILS
Belgium, Iran, Qatar · 2024 · 78 min · Documentary
Original language: Farsi
Themes: Social orphanhood, childhood & vulnerability, divorce, coming of age, children’s & teen’s rights
AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
LatAm, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia
Festivals and Awards
CPH:DOX 2024
NEXT:WAVE Award
Alternativa Film Festival 2024
Alter Award
Asian Film Festival Barcelona 2024
Official Selection
New Directors/New Films 2024
Official Selection
CREDITS
Director and screenwriter: Atiye Zare Arandi
Producers: Atiye Zare Arandi, Bram Crols, Nina Payrhuber
Cinematography: Atiye Zare Arandi
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