Freshmen and Me (Ongoing Project)
Director and Scriptwriter: Ashkan Kheilnejad
Director Of Photography: Mostafa Qaheri
Project Description
Freshmen and Me is an independent essay film currently in development, documenting my journey with theatre students from their university entry in 2023 to their graduation in 2027. The film captures their hopes, challenges, and the ongoing transformations within Iranian theatre. By sharing their individual and collective stories, the project aims to open up a conversation about the cultural and social challenges facing a new generation of Iranian artists.
Several interviews have been conducted, and key themes have been identified. One of the film’s central focuses is the evolution of underground theatre following the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Each year, the project intends to explore how these social changes impact the students’ educational paths, artistic aspirations, and how they shape their growth, creativity, and outlook.
Cast
- Subjects: Ashkan Kheilnejad, alongside a group of theatre students, professional colleagues, and professors and staff from Tehran University.
- Documentary Researchers: Saba Varshavi, Yahya Esfahaniha, Vahid Zarei, and Fateme Vafaie
- BTS Videographers: Rouzbeh Kazemi and Emad Jafari
- Editor: Roholhah Rezaee
- Sound Recordist: Mohammad Ata Bayat
- Photographers: Avazeh Javaherian
- Creative Consultants: Yousef Bapiri and Keyhan Parchami
- Assistant Director: Hossein Tabatabaei
Production
- Producer: Ashkan Kheilnejad