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Ojak (The Hearth)

As a complicated concept, Ojak (The Hearth) refers to various levels of “us” among the Turkmens. It consists of a family living in an Oy (Turkmen tent) around an Ojak In the first level, and on the other end of the spectrum, the clan, and tribe. Bagshy’s Ojak is a society consists of several bagshys (Turkmen Bards) gathered around a khalipa (Master) and plays a critical role in the continuation of the musical tradition of bagshys (Bagshyichilig). Today, As a result of modernization, the traditional Toy ceremonies, was once a combination of the horse race, wrestling and performance of bagshys, are disappeared. So the last chance for the bagshy and his musical culture to survive is the Ojak.
Ojak portrays a world centered on Yusuf Dibaei, a well-known bagshy, khalipa, and instrument maker in Turkmen-Sahra (Iran). He has kept one of the last Ojaks (centers) of Turkmen music alive and now concerns the uncertain future. Due to his illness, He is no longer able to perform and his brother’s Toy is the farewell performance. With no interfering, this movie is a cut of his life for 14 days until the Toy.

  • Arman Goharinasab
    Director
  • Arman Goharinasab
    Producer
  • Azade Latifkar
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    52 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 1, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Queen Palm International Film Festival

    BEST FEATURE - FIRST TIME FILMMAKER (BRONZE WINNER)
Director Biography - Arman Goharinasab

Arman Goharinasab got his M.A degree in Ethnomusicology in 2017 from Tehran University (Iran). In his dissertation entitled "The Tradition of Bagshy [bard] in Turkmen Sahra and Its Recent Changes" he concentrates on the musical culture of Turkmens of Iran. In doing research, collecting music, taking photos and making documentary films, his main interest is traditions in folk cultures from a musical perspective and their challenges to the contemporary world.
In order to communicate his ideas with society through the media of documentary films, he turns to a minimal style in making films, a filmmaker with a backpack. This style gives him the opportunity to maintain a balance between "insider" and "outsider" roles and also to overcome the problems of being in the margins of the mainstream and at the same time enjoy the advantages of creating independent work of art.

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Director Statement

This film is based on the idea of a filmmaker with a backpack that points to making a film with a minimum budget, cast, and equipment. This provides a space to experience human life from a different point of view and aspects neglected by the cinema with a high budget and huge casts.
In contrast to the complexity of technological development, this minimal idea has become possible just under the shadow of democratizing education and ease of access to equipment in the contemporary world. The Innovative aspects of this movie are inspiring for young filmmakers to find their own ways to express their ideas and also attractive for the audience for the immediate experience of a less known culture.