SCARLETT:
I only like the reality… The raw, naked reality… I don’t want to decorate it for myself.

GIRL:
It’s frightening… sad… it scares me…

EMMA:
There should always be something to help us decorate it… otherwise I wouldn’t survive…

“Farewell My Cherry Orchard”
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On April 1st, 1985, a girl named Sara was born in southern Iran amidst bombardments from the Iraqis. Due to the constant danger of bombardments, Sara’s family had to live in trenches and shelters during the Iran-Iraq war. When the war finally ended and it was safe for her family to return home, Sara was about 3 years old. She was a dreamer, always drawn to various stories. In the early years of her life, she displayed a keen interest in the performing arts. However, during that time, foreign movies, music videos, and similar forms of entertainment were forbidden in the country, leading people to smuggle Bollywood films into their homes. Inspired by these smuggled video tapes, Sara began performing in the streets as a child and even earned some money. Unfortunately, as she grew older, she was no longer allowed to continue performing. Nevertheless, she kept the flame of her passion alive within her.

After a long battle with her family, she finally enrolled in the Art University of Tehran (2003-2007), where she pursued a degree in screenwriting from the Cinema department. Her dream eventually became reality as she obtained her bachelor’s degree. Continuing her education, she went on to earn an MA in play directing from the same university (2008-2010).

Simultaneously, she gained admission to Karnameh Art and Cultural Institute, a prestigious private drama school in Iran known for its rigorous selection process. Upon graduating from Karnameh (2004-2005), she immediately joined a theatre group, which significantly contributed to her growth in acting and performing arts in general. Her time with the group greatly enhanced her knowledge and skills in the field.

As she honed her performing and acting skills, she embarked on the long-held idea of writing a novel.

Concurrently, she landed a role in the immensely popular TV series “The Innocents” (2008), which achieved great success. Additionally, she had the opportunity to participate in a highly acclaimed play called “Vavha Va Vigroolha” (2009) alongside her classmates at Karnameh, who collectively wrote, directed, and acted in the production. This groundbreaking play had a profound impact on the community, serving as a source of inspiration for numerous artists.

The subsequent year saw her portrayal in “Señora Carrar’s Rifles” (2010), a play penned by Bertolt Brecht. Her exceptional performance garnered her a nomination for Best Actress at the 29th Fajr Theatre Festival.

“Vavha va Virgoolha (2009)”

“The Woman Who was Found at the Lost & Found” (2016-Novel)

“The Woman Who was Found at the Lost & Found” (2016-Novel)

“The Woman Who Was Found at the Lost & Found” tells the story of five talented, ambitious, and perfectionist university graduates who are best friends and members of a literature club. Together, they engage in reading, analyzing, and critiquing books as well as contemporary artists and writers. Driven by a desire to make a difference, they soon realize that the real world is not as idealistic as they had imagined.

The book follows these five friends as they navigate the harsh realities of society and their surroundings while striving to protect and support one another. Amidst their journey, Sara, the protagonist, experiences a significant shift in her life after her first novel, “A Woman Who Was Found Among Lost Objects,” is published. The success of her debut work provides her with the confidence, courage, and connections required to venture into new and unfamiliar territories within her beloved field, ultimately dedicating her life to further exploration and experiences.

BUT THAT WAS NOT EASY!

“FAREWELL MY CHERRY ORCHARD” (2018-Play)

performed on stage for 30 nights at the City Theatre in Tehran in August 2018.
Writer and director: Sara Mokhavat
Actors: Nazanin Ahmadi, Prandeh Alaie, Haleh Gorji
Set design: Afsaneh Sarfehjoo
Costume design: Maryam Nameemzadeh
Sound design: Hamed Kiaee
Music: Siavash Valipour
Light design: Mohamad Hadadi
Director’s assistant: Behnam Amini

“FAREWELL MY CHERRY ORCHARD” (2018-Play)

SYNOPSYS:

The play revolves around a 35-year-old Iranian woman who belongs to a generation that experienced the Iran-Iraq war during their childhood. They also had to face the consequences of the revolution. During the war, her father left in search of a better life for his family, but he never returned. As a result, she grew up with the desire to leave her life and home in order to find a better place, even though she doesn’t have a clear image of this imaginary destination. However, she finds it difficult to actually leave the country, and her attempts to find a paradise abroad prove futile. Consequently, she feels lost and unsure of what to do next. Gradually, she starts disconnecting from reality and begins building a better place in her imagination. After attempting suicide and falling into a coma, most of the characters in her mind abandon her.

The stage is set within her mind, with only two characters, Emma Bovary and Scarlett O’Hara, remaining to help her through the situation. The woman embarks on a journey within her mind, unaware of the abandoned, unpleasant, smelly, and damp place it has become. The three characters engage in playing out their dreams and memories, discussing their lives and choices. Emma is particularly invested in this purpose as she relates strongly to the woman, both having dreams that don’t align with the real world and attempting to destroy their lives. The woman always makes them reenact her dreams and memories repeatedly. However, everything gradually fades. In the end, the girl regains her life but suffers from amnesia, causing her to forget Emma and Scarlett. Miraculously, Emma and Scarlett sacrifice themselves to revive the girl.

After completing “Farewell My Cherry Orchard,” the group secured two investors. However, as the artwork was being finalized and rehearsals were underway, the surreal and unconventional atmosphere of the play made the investors uneasy, and they withdrew their support midway through the process.

Faced with this complication, the group decided to raise the necessary funds through a crowdfunding campaign. This campaign, hosted on HAMIJOO.COM, an Iranian crowdfunding website, became the first successful theatre crowdfunding campaign.

Its success propelled the play to fame, enabling it to be performed at the prestigious City Theater complex.

This opportunity marked the realization of another long-held dream for the group.

“SHOGOON” (short film, 2019)

Watch now

“SHOGOON” (Short Film, 2019)

Writer and director: Sara Mokhavat
Cinematography: Majid Gorjian
Actors: Razieh Iranshahr
Sound design: Zohreh Aliakbari
Set and costume design: Sarah Fallah
Edit: Mojtaba Esmaeeilzadeh
Coloring: Farbod Jalali
Sound: Vahid Moghaddasi

SYNOPSYS:

She struggles to hear the elder lady, but it’s not necessary for her to hear everything. From the window of her apartment, she notices something bizarre. She quickly enters the elevator but gets stuck. Despite her efforts to get help, nobody seems to care. A catastrophic event is unfolding outside, and she feels utterly helpless in understanding what it is. She becomes more devastated by the minute, wondering why even her own children won’t come to her rescue. Did she miss something that everyone else knows?

Throughout the years, Sara has always had a keen interest in cinema, and it has occupied her mind. As soon as she had the opportunity, she made a short film based on one of her previous scripts, titled “SHOGOON”. This delightful experience made it difficult for her to focus on anything other than filmmaking. She found it to be the most enjoyable and fulfilling activity that fully satisfied her instincts.

“PRIVATE” (Short Film, 2021)

Three high school girls are struggling to clear their names from an accusation, otherwise, the stain stays forever.

Writer, Director and Producer: Sara Mokhavat
DOP: Majid Gorjian
Edit: Mojtaba Esmaeilzadeh
Mix & Sound: Zohreh Aliakbari
Script Supervisor: Zahra Khozooie
Colorist: Hootan Haghshenas
Music: Siavash Valipour
Set Designer: Hamed Aslani
Costume Designer: Sara Mokhavat
Makeup: Pedram Zargar
Cast:
Tara Abtahi
Neda Golrangi
Dorsa Katal
Sara Mokhavat
Nadia Noroozzadeh

“PRIVATE” (short film, 2021)

SYNOPSYS:

In a girls’ high school in downtown Tehran, something horrible and very unusual happened in a blind spot of the school’s CCTV.

The staff are angry, devastated, and shocked by the incident. The school principal decides to take immediate action to control the situation and restore calm. She summons three students whom she believes were involved.

The girls are desperate to prove their innocence, but the staff refuse to accept their claims. As the confused and angry parents arrive in this critical situation, another issue arises.

Private on it’s way to Chicago!
“Private” will have it’s world premier screening at Chicago International Film Festival, On October 2021. “Private” is invited to be part of this huge festival in short competition section.

Me-myself-and-a-memory-Keramati-Simin-resize

“DEFIANCE—AN ESSAY FROM SARA MOKHAVAT” (2022-essay)

When an oppressive, insulting cleric makes life unbearable at a university campus in Tehran, students rebel. Pandemonium ensues.

Sara Mokhavat

Translated from the Persian by Salar Aboh

Defiance—an essay from Sara Mokhavat

“Farewell to a Football Love Affair in Iran” (Essay 2022)

Sara Mokhavat

Translated from the Persian by Salar Abdoh

A sad story about a football love affair.

Published at The Markaz Review (15 November 2022)

https://themarkaz.org/farewell-to-a-football-love-affair-in-iran/

Sara-Mokhavat-at-Iran-Cambodia-Match-the-markaz-review

“Farewell to a Football Love Affaire in Iran” (2022- Essay)

“LOVEBIRDS” (short film, 2023)

“LOVEBIRDS” (Short Film, 2023)

Writer and Director: Sara Mokhavat

Producer: Mostafa Ghanbarpour (Noorventurous)

Key Cast: Nazanin Ahmadi Nima Rad

Director Of Photography: majidgorjian

Editor: Mahdi Iravani

Sound Recorder: Mehrad Abolghasemi

Music: Farshad Fozouni

Sound Design: Zohreh Aliakbari

Production Designer: Mehdi Mohamadi

Costume Designer: Maryam Naeemzadeh

Assistant Director and Casting: Peyman Naji

Line Production And Production Manager: Farshad Hashemi Makeup Artist: Mohamadreza Mirbagheri

Poster: Mohamad Ali Khodahami

Photography: Ardalan Azarmi

SYNOPSYS:

Lovebirds is a short film that explores the aftermath of a collapsed relationship between Masoud and his beloved fiancée Maniya. Their love affair was based on sadomasochistic tendencies and childish mischiefs that kept the flame of their love burning. But when the girl unexpectedly ends the relationship and leaves without a word, Masoud is left in a state of mourning, struggling to accept the end of their love and move on…

“Home” (2024-Short Film)

Writing & Directing by: Sara Mokhavat

Starring : Parviz Bozorgi

Zari Ghalamara

Project executive: Mehdi Pourmousa

Cinematographer: Amir Moosavi

Sound Recorder: Hamed Hosseinzadeh

Sound Designer: Hadi Farahmand

Sound Mixer: Hamed Hosseinzadeh

Editor: Mehdi Pourmousa

Colorist: Saman Vafaee

Set Designer: Mehdi Pourmousa

Distribution Company: Zigguartmultimedia

“Home” (2024-short film)

SYNOPSYS:

An elderly couple is carefully preparing for their young granddaughter’s birthday party, a joyful family gathering. Under their cheerful facade, they carry a heavy burden: a secret they’ve been hiding from their children. As they prepare the birthday gifts, their anxiety grows, fearing that the truth could shatter the loving image they’ve worked so hard to maintain and forever alter their family dynamics.

To Be Continued …

A journey never ends

BUT THAT WAS NOT EASY!

“FAREWELL MY CHERRY ORCHARD” (2018-Play)

SYNOPSYS:

Watch now

“SHOGOON” (Short Film, 2019)

SYNOPSYS:

“PRIVATE” (Short Film, 2021)

SYNOPSYS:

Private on it’s way to Chicago!

“DEFIANCE—AN ESSAY FROM SARA MOKHAVAT” (2022-essay)

Sara Mokhavat

“Farewell to a Football Love Affair in Iran” (Essay 2022)

Sara Mokhavat

“LOVEBIRDS” (Short Film, 2023)

SYNOPSYS:

“Home” (2024-Short Film)

SYNOPSYS:

To Be Continued …

Email: saramokhavat@gmail.com

© Copyright 2020 Sara Mokhavat. All Rights Reserved.