The Persian Carpet

On September 26th, 2022, 22-year old Iranian Mahsa Amini passed away after being arrested for not wearing the hijab in accordance with government standards. In response, many women in Iran are protesting for their rights. Inspired by themes of women empowerment, “The Persian Carpet” follows Sara, a daughter of Iranian immigrants, as she learns to navigate her Iranian culture & ancestry, her freedoms, and some of the difficulties of life as a woman in Iran.
Visually poetic and symbolically rich, The Persian Carpet uses motifs like woven textiles, cultural food, and Iranian language to bridge generations and identities. The film blends present-day American coming-of-age film style with dream sequences inspired by Persian aesthetics and oral storytelling traditions. Through this method, the story reflects both the beauty and burden of cultural inheritance.

The goal of this film is to shed light on the lived experiences of diasporic Iranians, to honor the resilience of Iranian women, and to open conversations about identity, freedom, and solidarity across borders. The Persian Carpet is not just a story about Iran—it is a story about the struggle for autonomy and self-definition that resonates universally.

Categories: Drama, Family