Director Maryam Keshavarz Discusses New Comedy-Drama film "Persian Version" Explores Intersection of Culture, Gender, and Sexuality

"The Persian Version" is Maryam Keshavarz's autobiographical comedy-drama, depicting the life of Iranian-American filmmaker Leila, addresses challenging family issues and the complexities of cultural assimilation in America.

• Directed by Maryam Keshavarz, the comedy-drama 'The Persian Version' is a semi-autobiographical film illuminating the complexities of cultural identities, gender, and sexuality. It follows the story of Leila, an Iranian-American filmmaker dealing with her personal and professional issues.
• Keshavarz uses elements of magical realism, animation, and music to illuminate the tensions between cultures, genders, sexualities, and families. The film highlights how Leila, played by Layla Mohammadi, negotiates her Iranian and American identity, her sexuality, and her family issues.
• The narrative explores the impact of cultural differences through engaging storytelling that bridges generational gaps. It opens a dialogue on the struggles and challenges faced by immigrants in preserving their culture while assimilating into a new one.
• Leila grapples with a variety of issues in her life, including her failed marriage, a new relationship, and her father's health scare. While focusing on issues of cultural assimilation and sexuality, the film also introduces subtle religious commentary.
• The Persian Version notably includes perspectives from three generations of women, each told stylistically differently. The story of Leila, her mother, and her grandmother are presented in pop '80s/'90s style, spaghetti western, and neorealist Kiarostami film style, respectively.

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