Here Neshvad discusses freedom for Iranian women, the importance of expression, and the symbolism behindThe Red Suitcase.
Watch on Deadline
DEADLINE:What was the inspiration behind making this short film?
So, for me, this was frightening information.
THE RED SUITCASE, Nawelle Ewad, 2022. © Cynefilms / Courtesy Everett Collection
And this was back in 2020 when nobody was talking about this; I was terrified.
So, I decided to talk about this, even if its in a short movie.
And then I decided to have this girl, an Iranian girl with a hijab on her hair.
And that was the beginning of the story.
Can you talk further about the impact of this scene?
And what has the experience been like in your home country since the shorts release?
Can it play at the Tehran International Short Film Festival?
So, I got messages online and social media threats.
I dont think any festival in Iran, even if they were for the movie, will show this.
They are already circulating that Cyrus Neshvad is anti-Iranian.
DEADLINE:How are you handling that pressure?
NESHVAD:I mean the movie; I dont want the movie to be political.
I just wanted to give this message that we should be free to do what we want.
We should be free to wear the hijab; we should be free to not wear it.
But if we are not wearing it, it should not be damaging.
And right now, the situation in Iran is like, you have to wear a hijab.
Domination that the man is allowed to have few women.
Domination that the woman needs the consent of the man to do something.
[For example] when theres a meeting, all the men are allowed to sit on chairs.
The women have to sit on the floor.
So, for today, the revolution in Iran is happening slowly; its a revolution brought by women.
The women said, We, as a protest, we dont wear it anymore.
And today, its got an even bigger message for what is happening in Iran.
DEADLINE:In the short, we only get a glimpse of her relationship with her dad.
What exactly is their bond?
And what were you and co-writer Guillaume Levil trying to get across here?
Its a matter of she understood her father is also a patriarch.
Its a part of this tradition.
If she wanted to be free, she [realizes] that she has to get out of there.
Its not even about family, but rather the tradition.
Even if she goes back [home], the tradition will not change.
And the freedom you get for such a price?
For losing everything, losing this red suitcase, which was her heart.
Losing her family, losing her only money.
She has nothing anymore, but she has the free will, and thats the most important thing.
DEADLINE:Wait,wow, the suitcase represents her heart?
I wanted to have the inside be very tender and sensitive.
So, she has all these tender things.
And she wanted to put it on the floor.
I said, No, its notreallyluggage; its your heart.
The suitcase is also red, the color of the heart.
And I want people to take this with them in their hearts also.
