Private Project

The UNSEEN

During the times when Tehran hosts foreign dignitaries, the local authorities clean up Tehran’s urban image through an ‘urban beautification’ process which includes the rounding up of unsavory characters from the city streets; i.e. drug addicts and prostitutes. The men are released after a few days but the women are kept as wards of the state in perpetuity. They are sent to holding centers on the outskirts of the city where no records are kept by the social workers; these women cease to exist.
A friend of my sister happened to work in one of these detention centers, and she helped me go there with a recorder and interview some of the women without any officials. I explained to each woman what I was doing and asked for their permission and promised them not to film them.

  • Behzad Nalbandi
    Director
  • Behzad Nalbandi
    Writer
  • Behzad Nalbandi
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Kaghaz-pareh ha-کاغذ پاره‌ها
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 1 minute
  • Completion Date:
    November 25, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    250,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Country of Filming:
    Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Language:
    Persian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital. HD 1920.1080
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • IDFA- International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    November 25, 2019
    Europe Premiere
    Official Selection
  • APSA- ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS
    Brisbane
    Australia
    NOMINATED OF BEST ANIMATED FILM
Distribution Information
  • Iranian Independents
    Country: Iran, Islamic Republic of
    Rights: All Rights, Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Hotel, Airline, Ship, Theatrical, Video / Disc, Free TV, Paid TV, Console / Handheld Device
Director Biography - Behzad Nalbandi

Born in 1972 in Tehran, Behzad Nalbandi is a graduate of Filmmaking from Tehran Film School. He’s an artist, graphic designer as well as a theater actor and has already made 4 short films, 4 documentaries, and a TV drama.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film was five years in the making and was produced independently, and I personally did every aspect of its production. The techniques used are ‘stop motion’ and special computer effects. I first edited the recordings of the interviews, and then I created paper dolls for each character depending on their personality. Since in Iran the homeless are called ‘Cardboard Sleepers’ I used cardboard and construction paper to make the puppets and all of the items and background. I also used rags for their clothes. To show the puppets moving I used ‘blue screen’ to photograph the puppets, then I gave them movement with my computer’s special effects.