Freshmen and Me (Ongoing Project)
Overview
‘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, struggles, and the changes happening in Iranian theatre. By sharing their personal and collective stories, the project aims to open up a conversation about the cultural and social challenges facing the new generation of Iranian artists.
We are currently in the editing phase, having conducted several interviews and identified key themes. One of the main focuses of the film is the shift in underground theatre after the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement. Every year, we plan to examine how these societal changes impact the educational journeys and artistic aspirations of theatre students, exploring how it shapes their growth, creativity, and vision.
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
- Creative Consultants: Yousef Bapiri and Keyhan Parchami
- Assistant Director: Hossein Tabatabaei
Production
- Producer: Ashkan Kheilnejad