Independent filmmaker Sierra Urich inspired audiences and filmmakers on Thursday, Feb. 29 when the Redfern Art Center’s Putnam Theater showcased her award winning documentary “Joonam.”
Urich is an Iranian-American raised in rural Vermont. The documentary centers around her relationships with her mother and grandmother, and her complex relationship to a country she has never been able to visit.
Her grandmother, who was central to the film, speaks Farsi (Persian/Western Iranian) as a primary language, and broken English. Urich spends much of the film trying to learn the language in order to communicate more effectively with her grandmother.
Urich had to wait until a translator reviewed the footage during production to understand what her grandmother was saying.
“One of the biggest challenges that came with telling this story was not knowing what was there. I had a lot of self-doubt during this process, and dealt with not knowing if there was even a story here. But I had faith that there was, and knew that deep down,” said Urich.
“Joonam” is composed of real footage Ulrich filmed spending time with her mother and grandmother. The film highlights her attempt to understand her family history.
It also takes a step further, exploring her fractured relationship with Iran, a country she has never been to, where her family history unfolded. “Joonam” is a Farsi term of endearment that is often translated to “my dear” or “my lifeblood”.
“The story is really about my relationship with my family, and this shared experience of loss with this homeland that we can’t really access,” Urich said. “It’s the land I can never visit, my mom can never return to, my grandmother longs for. It’s really a film about longing, family, diaspora and grief.”
Urich spent the day at Keene State College working with student-filmmakers, offering advice and viewing their film projects, before screening her debut feature to an audience of over 20 people.
Professor Jo Dery, chair of KSC’s Film Studies Department, said Urich’s visit gave film students a valuable experience.
“We work really hard to get filmmakers here to work with our students. Oftentimes they’ll give a workshop as well as screen their own films, which is what Sierra did. It gives them a chance to hear from professionals, which can help them hone their craft,” said Dery.
Junior film major Jacob Conway attended the screening and said he enjoyed the film.
“I love to get inspired by impressive filmmakers like Urich who the department gets to come and share their work and expertise with us,” said Conway.
“It really helps to make sure that film-centric people here at KSC get to have these close experiences with talented artists, and that’s something I’m grateful for. Urich’s film had spectacular visuals. I didn’t know what to expect, and the heartwarming nature of “Joonam” really was amazing,” said Conway.
Conway, who is also a student filmmaker, had the chance to receive advice from Ulrich.
“Sierra was there to watch all of the films that were submitted. We all went to the MAC (Media Arts Center), and she gave really good advice and guidance for how we should go forward with our projects,” said Conway.
Ryan Pacheco can be contacted at
rpacheco@kscequinox.com
