Maydegol
Maydegol
Documentary, 74 min, Color, 4K, 2:1, 16:9, 5.1, stereo, Persian and Dari, 2024, Iran- France - Germany

Synopsis

An Afghan teen girl, with immigrant parents in Iran, strives to pursue her dream of becoming a professional Muay Thai boxer despite her family’s conservative mindset, enduring physical abuse, and anti-immigrant surroundings. Working day and night, she finances her Thai Boxing classes without her family’s knowledge. Through this sport, she aspires not only to succeed in the ring but also to overcome life’s obstacles. “Maydegol” portrays the perseverance of Generation Z to escape their seemingly bleak destiny, asserting their rights, especially as women, seeking freedom in life despite the risk of losing it. It also serves as a mirror for them to recognize their strength, find inspiration, and gain confidence.

Maydegol

Cast & Crew

  • Director & Scriptwriter :Sarvnaz Alambeigi
  • Director of Photography :Mehdi Azadi
  • Sound recording :Shahin Pourdadashi
  • Sound Design & Mix :Ensieh (Leyla)Maleki
  • Editor :Hamid Najafirad
  • Color Grading :Dirk Meier
  • Assistant Director :Maryam Yaghoubi
  • Production Manager :Vahid Hajilouei
  • Producers :Katayoon Shahabi, Sarvnaz Alambeigi
  • Production Companies :Rabison Art, Noori Pictures
  • Characters :Maydegol, Mohadeseh, Farzaneh

Watch Maydegol Trailer

Vimeo

Maydegol
Maydegol
Maydegol
Maydegol
Maydegol

Festivals

  • Berlinale (Feb.2024, Berlin, Germany) Generation14plus, Special mention
  • Flying Broom(May 2024, Turkey)

Photos

Sarvenaz Alambeigi

DIRECTOR’S Statement

I always eagerly return home to find pieces of my complex Middle Eastern identity by reconnecting with my roots. Home is the safest place to understand the first things. It was at home that the first questions about the authenticity of existence, identity and relationship to the outside world, role and social position were formed for me.When I saw Maydegol, the concept of home came to my mind again. Because despite having three homes, she didn’t feel like she belonged to any of them, and in fact, she avoided all three. I thought about how she makes sense of herself in this world when she was born in a country where her existence as a woman is not valued and respected, either by the Taliban or by regressive ideologies. Will she have an opportunity to develop her values, understand and receive about her true self and enough opportunities for growth in the new house she has moved to? And finally, in her own home, the only safe zone in this world, who is she and how does she feel? At the same time, as I got closer to the life of her, along with the concept of having and not having these three houses, I came to a greater discovery that was with me all the way through this movie, and remains with me: the search for the meaning of life in the constant struggle between fate and free will.