At the School of Seyed Ghelish Ishan
(DAR MADRESEH YE SEYED GHELISH ISHAN )
Iran 1996 | 22 Min. | 16 mm, OmeU
A fascinating and intimate portrait of a seemingly unlikely artist. Mokarrameh, a widow living in rural Iran, dips into her memories as well as into colourful local legends to create vivid, detailed paintings. Her intense desire to create began when she lost her cow. Distraught, she consoled herself by painting on a rock. Now, years later, Mokarrameh’s home literally overflows with her paintings. Originally, she worked with mud and cow dung; now she uses paints bought by her son. A disturbing commentary on the role of women emerges when her husband’s first wife comes for tea. Amidst their bickering, the two women recall their hard lives, and Mokarrameh reveals that her art is a »means of substance«. Kathy Geritz