Please Step Aside!
A journey into the mind of a woman recently immigrated from Tehran to Berlin, over the "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising.
Technical Information
- Original TitleZurückbleiben bitte!
- English TitlePlease Step Aside!
- Persian Titleلطفاً عقب بمانید!
- Year2024
- Runtime 12 min.
- Language Persian
- Subtitle English
- GenreExperimental Documentary
- Countries Germany, Iran
- Aspect Ratio 16:9
- Shooting Format Digital
- Color Color / Black & White
- Format DCP
- Sound 5.1, stereo
- Premiere StatusWorld Premiere at IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)
- AwardsBest Documentary International Competition Porto Femme Film Festival 2025
Synopsis
"Zurückbleiben bitte!" is a melancholic yet humorous experimental short film that delves into the chaotic mind of a woman who has recently immigrated to Berlin. A stream of consciousness unfolds following an unexpected incident in her homeland, Iran. As she navigates her new physical surroundings, her inner world is shaped by a parallel digital reality, her mobile phone buzzing with news from the ongoing "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising. Blending time and space, the film explores the relative nature of freedom and happiness. Entirely shot on a mobile phone, it is both an intimate portrait and a political reflection.
Logline
Filmmaker Raha Faridi reflects on her migration from Tehran to Berlin in an experimental stream of consciousness, contrasting her new physical surroundings with a virtual world buzzing with news of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising in Iran.
Crew Information
PRODUCTION
- Raha Films
DIRECTOR, EDITOR, CINEMATOGRAPHER
- Raha Faridi
SOUND DESIGN
- AHGH
COLORIST
- Farhad
MUSIC
- Amadeo Bonaiuto, Behrooz Moosavi
NARRATION & NARRATOR
- Raha Faridi
Director Statement
In Berlin, amidst the new atmosphere, language, and climate, I navigated apartment hunting and processed the life-altering events of the past year. "Zurückbleiben bitte!" was the first thing I heard on my arrival in Berlin. "Please Step Aside!", which became the name of my first short film in Germany. A written stream of consciousness served as the narration of the film without any changes. The film pictures my current physical surroundings in contrast with my virtual mobile world, which was buzzing with the news of widespread "Woman Life Freedom" uprising. – a movement resulting from decades of resilience of women like myself in Iran. The film doesn't aim to bring political activism into the unconscious realm of art; it avoids slogans and any ideological or political statements. It's not trying to impress festivals or venues, nor does it exploit "Woman Life Freedom" for business in the film industry. Additionally, it doesn't rely on common elements of Iranian cinema to appeal to Western audiences. This film is simply an honest expression of the contradictory social and emotional states experienced by a woman. With the hope that it connects with Its audience.
Press Coverage
IRAN INTERNATIONAL
- UK, London 17/04/2025
- on Instagram
IIFMA
- Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association
- Netherlands 18/04/2025
- by Navid Nikkhah Azad
- on Instagram
Director Biography
Raha Faridi (born 1980) is an experimental artist, filmmaker, radio producer, and storyteller. Her work spans anthropology, music, gender equality, arts and culture since 2000. For over a decade, she uncovered Iran's underground music scene at BBC-World service Radio. In 2009, she ventured across Iran, creating independent documentaries. In 2022, she began working as a freelance artist in Berlin. Her interdisciplinary work explores urban and intellectual themes with a serious yet playful manner.