An initimate 1990s Melbourne-set drama and based on director Noora Niasari’s personal experiences as a child, a migrant Iranian woman flees domestic abuse with her six year-old daughter.
Escaping the abusive marriage, Shayda (Zar Amir Ebrahimi) finds refuge in a Melbourne Womens Shelter. But she’s never certain of safety with her husband (Osamah Sami) given access to Mona (Selina Zahednia) by the courts and the majority of the local Iranian community siding with tradition. Shelter manager Joyce (Leah Purcell) is the main support as Shayda navigates the Nowruz (New Year) holiday season and attempts to provide a level of normalcy for her confused daughter.
In her feature film debut, Noora Niasari creates a powerful mood piece as Shayda looks to piece her life together, aware of the judgement of other migrants, fearful of being followed. In focusing predominantly on the mother/daughter relationship, Shayda is a tale of tender vulnerability.
Rating: 69%
Director: Noora Niasari (Antunez House)
Writer: Noora Niasari
Main cast: Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Holy Spider, Tatami), Leah Purcell (The Drover’s Wife, Lantana), Selina Zahednia