A Sisters’ Tale

As Nasreen turns 40, she is deeply unhappy with her role purely as a wife and mother. Is this all she will be remembered for? She decides to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. In Iran, however, this is no simple matter. Women are forbidden to sing in public. And Nasreen can expect little support from her conservative husband.

Her sister Leila has been there with her camera from the start and she films Nasreen over a period of seven years. She closely documents the struggle between chasing a dream and everyday reality, from secret nighttime recording sessions in a car to singing exercises in her bedroom with a toddler rattling the door. She also witnesses increasing tensions within the family.

As Nasreen’s sister, Leila Amini was able to capture particularly intimate and raw moments. But this relationship also presents the filmmaker with difficult dilemmas. What do you do when a loved one is distraught? Do you keep filming or is your primary role that of a sister and aunt? Both Nasreen and Leila persevere, resulting in an inspiring portrait of a woman in search of freedom, and an ode to sisterhood.