Experiencing Interruptions?

Maryam

Maryam is a drama about a conventional Iranian immigrant mother whose teenage daughter Roya goes out on a drunken night with friends. When she returns home extremely late and upset, Maryam is mortified that her daughter stinks of booze. The two have a fight. The next evening, two New Zealand Police detectives show up and inform Maryam of a sexual assault that was committed against her minor daughter. Mortified and shamed, Maryam asks them to leave and in a harsh confrontation with her daughter, sudden repressed memories of being raped, impregnated , blamed and disowned by her parents, come flooding in. Maryam decides to break this vicious cycle of victim blaming and supports her daughter.

  • Douglas Brooks
    Director
  • Maza White
    Director
  • Maza White
    Writer
  • Maza White
    Producer
  • Maza White
    Key Cast
    "Maryam"
  • Roxie Mohebbi
    Key Cast
    "Roya"
  • Marjan Nelson
    Key Cast
    "Nazanin"
  • Jennifer Ward-Leyland
    Key Cast
    "Detective Sergeant Williams"
  • Mark Cassidy
    Key Cast
    "Detective Kingi"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Douglas Brooks, Maza White

Maza is a passionate filmmaker who started screenwriting eight years ago. Being a multilingual Iranian who immigrated to Canada, UK, and eventually New Zealand, Maza’s experiences have deepened her view of the world and understanding of people. Her cultural routes combined with her adult life in the west, motherhood, and profound interest in human psychology, have helped develop a unique and emotive voice coupled with an intricate style.

Douglas Brooks (Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Pākehā) started writing as an actor making his own opportunities in a small town. It is from his acting experience that Brooks approaches directing. Brooks started in film as a runner for BBC Scotland and worked for a number of production companies including Amazon, Dreamworks, TVNZ, and South Pacific Pictures.

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Director Statement

‘Maryam’ is the first Iranian-Kiwi script that I have written, co-directed and starred in. Having lived in the patriarchal society of Iran during my childhood, I witnessed many occasions where female victims were blamed for violent crimes committed against them.
Violence and oppression are two of the most universally significant issues that affect women. “Maryam” addresses these directly through its theme: breaking destructive cycles of condemning sexual assault victims.