Sepideh – Reaching for the Stars is a 2013 Persian-language Danish documentary film written and directed by Berit Madsen.[1][2] The film premiered in-competition at the 2013 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam on November 24, 2013.[3]
| Sepideh – Reaching for the Stars | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Berit Madsen |
| Written by | Berit Madsen |
| Produced by | Henrik Underbjerg Stefan Frost |
| Cinematography | Mohammad Reza Jahan Panah |
| Edited by | Peter Winther |
Production company | Radiator Film ApS |
| Distributed by | LevelK |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Countries | Iran Denmark Germany Norway Sweden |
| Languages | Persian English |
The film later premiered in-competition in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 2014.[4][5]
After its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the film become available in United States and Canada by iTunes.[6] In 2014 the film won the Maysles Brothers Award at 14th Belfast Film Festival.[7]
Synopsis
editSixteen-year-old Iranian citizen Sepideh wants to become an astronaut. But at her age the nightly stargazing excursions in the desert are a dangerous thorn in the side of family and traditions. She watches a clip of the first female Persian astronaut Anousheh Ansari, and after that she becomes more serious in her efforts. Sepideh writes a letter to Anoosheh and this letter changes her life.[8]
Reception
editSepideh – Reaching for the Stars received mostly positive reviews upon its premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Dennis Harvey of Variety, said in his review that "Berit Madsen's documentary offers a leisurely, engaging portrait of a provincial Iranian teenager who dreams of becoming an astronaut."[9] Neil Young in his review for The Hollywood Reporter called the film "Engaging if earthbound documentary is elevated by its subject's feisty pluck."[10] Katie Walsh from Indiewire praised the film by saying that "“Sepideh—Reaching For the Stars,” is an example of why capturing these dreams, and the continued struggles that young women in the world face for simply having dreams, is an important locus for documentary filmmaking."[11]
Accolades
edit
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam | Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary | Berit Madsen | Nominated |
| 2014 | Sundance Film Festival | World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary | Berit Madsen | Nominated[12][13] |
References
edit- ^ "Berit Madsen, SEPIDEH - Reaching For The Stars". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "An Iranian Girl, Battling to Be an Astronomer". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "IDFA Doc Spotlights Unlikely Dream of a Young Iranian Woman". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "Sundance 2014: World Cinema Documentary Competition". Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ^ "2014 Sundance Documentary competitions showcase Nick Cave, Internet paranoia and more". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "Many Sundance films coming to theaters near you". Archived from the original on April 21, 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Maysles Brothers Award goes to Sepideh Reaching for the Stars". Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Sepideh Reaching for the Stars at Dutch Cinemas". Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "Sundance Film Review: 'Sepideh'". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "Sepideh - Reaching for the Stars: IDFA Review". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "Sundance Review: Documentary 'Sepideh' An Inspiring Observation Of One Young Woman's Otherworldly Dreams". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "Sundance: 'Whiplash' & 'Rich Hill' Win Grand Jury Awards; Dramatic Directing Goes To Cutter Hodierne For 'Fishing Without Nets'". Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- ^ "'Whiplash' Owns the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Awards Netting Two Top Prizes". Retrieved January 26, 2014.