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A Sisters' Tale

A film by Leila Amini

Synopsis

Filmmaker Leila Amini’s sister Nasreen once filled their Tehran home with her beautiful voice. However, she stopped singing when pressured to marry Mohammad. Over the years, Nasreen dedicated herself to being an excellent wife and mother. Yet Mohammad primarily saw his role as working outside the home, leaving Nasreen longing for the simple joys and affections of married life.

When her youngest child was born, Nasreen became terrified that her only achievement in life would be being the mother of two children. She was determined to pursue her lifelong passion for singing, even though performing in public is forbidden for women in Iran.   

Mohammad’s absence and lack of support frustrated Nasreen, leading to many arguments. Her mother and sisters did their best to protect Nasreen’s marriage; they were concerned about her future. Over seven years of filming Nasreen, Leila closely witnessed her sister’s journey to free her voice as a singer and as a woman. From a vulnerable homemaker, she gradually transformed into a woman in control of her own destiny. Nasreen’s emancipation has inspired fundamental change for her children, her sisters, their mother, and, hopefully, for their country.

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More Infos

  • Credits

    Director 
and Cinematographer

    Leila Amini

    Producers

    Afsaneh Salari

    Vadim Jendreyko

    Leila Amini

    Editors

    Audrey Maurion

    Leila Amini

    Morteza Payeshenas

    Original Score

    Nasreen Amini

    Sound Recording

    Leila Amini

    Patrick Becker

    Sound Design and Edit Supervisor

    Ensieh Maleki

    Sound Mix

    Dominik Avenwedde

    Colorist

    Patrischa Freuler

    Co-Producer

    Kaleo La Belle

    Associate Producers

    Christine Le Goff

    Hercli Bundi

    Susanne Guggenberger

    Production Managers

    Hamedreza Izadpanah

    Sareh Amini

    Line Producer and Back Office

    Pascal Moor

    A Production of

    Mira Film

    Docmaniacs

    In Co-Production with

    La Belle Film

    Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen und SRF/SRG SSR

    Commissioning Editors

    Urs Augstburger, SRF

    Sven Wälti, National Coordinator, SRG SSR

    With the financial support of

    Swisslos-Fonds Basel-Stadt and Swisslos-Fonds Basel-Landschaft

    Fachausschuss Film und Medienkunst BS/BL

    Zürcher Filmstiftung

    Succès Passage Antenne, SRG SSR

    Docs Up Fund

    Distribution Switzerland

    Vinca Film

    World Sales

    Rise and Shine

  • Technical Details
    FormatDCP
    Duration93 min
    Year2024
    Original LanguageFarsi
    SubtitlesEnglish
    CountrySwitzerland/France/Iran
    ISANISAN 0000-0006-FD87-0000-V-0000-0000-I
  • Festivals

    International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam

    November 14, 2024 - November 24, 2024

    Toronto International Film Festival TIFF

    September 05, 2024 - September 15, 2024

    Semaine de la Critique Locarno

    August 09, 2024 - August 16, 2024