Experiencing Interruptions?

The Woman Who Laughs

Complicated challenges of a marital relationship in a subjective and surreal atmosphere. It is also a free adaptation of a short story named "Three Drops of Blood" by famous Iranian writer "Sadegh Hedayat".

  • Armin Etemadi
    Director
  • Armin Etemadi
    Writer
  • Armin Etemadi
    Producer
  • Mahboubeh Mohammadi
    Key Cast
    "The Woman"
  • Mostafa Vahabi
    Key Cast
    "The Man"
  • Pooyan Aghababaei
    Director of Photography
  • Hossein Ghoorchian
    Sound Designer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    زنی که می‌خندد
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Country of Filming:
    Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Language:
    Persian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35 : 1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Iranian Youth Cinema Society (IYCS)
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 20, 2021
    Honorable Mention - Best Student Short
  • Best Shorts Competition
    La Jolla
    United States
    December 19, 2021
    Award of Merit - Film Short
  • The IndieFEST Film Awards
    La Jolla
    United States
    February 1, 2022
    Award of Merit - Film Short
  • FESTIVAL ANGAELICA
    Pasadena
    United States
    December 21, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Fidan Short Film Festival
    Tehran
    Iran, Islamic Republic of
    August 17, 2021
    National Premiere
    Official Selection
  • FIAFest International Audiovisual Festival
    Cundinamarca
    Colombia
    October 24, 2022
    South American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Rising Sun International Film Festival
    Fukuoka
    Japan
    November 3, 2022
    Japan Premiere
    Official Selection
  • ROFIFE
    Bolu
    Turkey
    March 17, 2022
    Turkey Premiere
    Official Selection
  • One Earth Awards
    Banglore, Karnataka
    India
    March 31, 2022
    Official Selection
  • First-Time Filmmaker Online Sessions
    Buckinghamshire
    United Kingdom
    October 25, 2021
    Official Selection
  • LWIFF Lonely Wolf
    London
    United Kingdom
    April 29, 2022
    Semi-Finalist
  • Festival del Cinema di Cefalù
    Cefalù, Palermo
    Italy
    August 1, 2022
    Semi-Finalist
Director Biography - Armin Etemadi

Armin Etemadi, born on 24th September 1989, got his M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology in 2015. Afterwards he embarked on a new career and completed a full course on filmmaking at the Iranian Youth Cinema Society. There he directed some experimental and student short films. He has just finished his first professional short film named The Woman Who Laughs.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I have always been fascinated by dream-like states in cinema. Through exploring the unconscious, I look for a window to peek inside the uncovered aspects of one’s mind, which the conscious may not reflect. The same notion was the primary motive behind making "The Woman Who Laughs"; to discover distinct desires and dreams of a couple living together, but separated in a way. Portraying these two parallel yet isolated lives particularly during this pandemic has been an even more challenging task.
The script has been edited for seven times. In order to bring everyone on the same page, we had conducted weekly rehearsals with the actors for four months. At the end, considering the budget limitations, I am pleased with the result and cannot wait to see the audience reactions to the depicted dreams and nightmares throughout this journey. They may even find their own dreams reflecting on the wide screen.