ReFocus

Examines the work of Iranian-German filmmaker, Sohrab Shadid-Saless, focusing on the themes of displacement and exile in his films

• Reflects on Sohrab Shahid-Saless' work and its implications for issues of creativity in diasporic conditions
• Provides a comprehensive account of Shahid-Saless’ work including his films and production methods, as well as personal letters that offer an insight into his process and thoughts
• Includes close readings of films including A Simple Event (1073), Still Life (1974), Utopia (1983), Coming of Age (1974) and Far From Home (1975)

An Iranian immigrant struggling to integrate into 1970s German society, the filmmaker Sohrab Shahid Saless (1944–98) has become a neglected figure in discussions of diaspora cinema. In this – the first English-language book to reflect on his work and its implications for creativity in the diasporic conditions of urban displacement – a range of international scholars provide a comprehensive account of Shahid Saless’s films and production methods.

Outlining his affinity with celebrated directors like Chantal Akerman and Abbas Kiarostami, as well as visual artists like Romuald Karmakar, the contributors firmly position Shahid Saless as a filmmaker who speaks forcefully to the traumas of displacement and migration.

Contributors

• >Hamid Naficy, Northwestern University
• Christopher Gow, Independent
• Matthias Wittmann, University of Basel
• Majid Eslami, Independent
• Michelle Langford, UNSW, Sydney
• Azadeh Fatehrad, Kingston University
• Michael Mazière, University of Westminster
• Gareth Evans, Whitechapel Gallery
• Dario Marchiori, Université Lyon 2
• Pierre d'Alancaisez, Independent
• Bert Schmidt, Independent
• Behrang Samsami, Independent
• Omid Abdollahi, Independent