Jay Shah
DevOps\Aerospace Engineer & Journalist
Welcome back fellow art enjoyers! I recently had the pleasure of attending the premiere of:
“A Film About a Uterus“
at The Polygon Gallery. This event was a mesmerizing journey into the poetic and surreal world of cinema, thanks to the brilliant minds of Elika Mojtabaei and Aryo Khakpour. For those who missed it, here’s a recap of this unforgettable evening.
“A journey that challenges patriarchal norms while celebrating the intimate bond between mother and daughter.”
-Jay Shah
Event Details
Date: June 13, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Venue: The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Evening Itinerary
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
Films Begin: 7:00 PM
Artist Q&A: Following the screenings
Recap
The evening began with the doors opening at 6:30 PM, giving attendees a chance to mingle and soak in the ambiance of The Polygon Gallery. The gallery was beautifully set up, with an assortment of food and drinks available to guests. There were delectable finger foods, artisanal cheeses, and a selection of fine wines and craft beers, making it a perfect start to the evening.
By 7:00 PM, everyone was settled in, eagerly awaiting the start of the films
“A Film About a Uterus”
Duration: 20 minutes
Creators: Elika Mojtabaei and Aryo Khakpour
In this poetic and surrealist treatment of theatre on film, we follow the journey of a young woman who has reluctantly become her mother’s “guardian.” Her task? To transfer her mother’s uterus, preserved in a jar, from the hospital to a lab for examination. Along this path, she encounters three archetypes of patriarchal institutions, challenging societal norms while caring for the womb that gave her life as if it were her own newborn.
The film’s narrative depth and symbolism were truly captivating. It intertwined the personal with broader social commentaries in a surrealist manner, making it a thought-provoking experience.
Discussing the film’s exploration of the mother-daughter relationship within patriarchal contexts, Elika shared,
“We hope viewers see the strength and resilience in these relationships. The uterus symbolizes life and continuity, challenging patriarchal narratives.“
When asked about the film’s ending, Aryo described it as a symbol of hope, emphasizing that “We will continue to move forward even when faced with absurd requests.” Elika shared that the sound of babies in the film came from Nazli’s real experience. “The hysterectomy of her mom took place in a ward as babies were being born. It symbolizes how womanhood is unfortunately reduced to the capacity to give birth, which has been removed from the body.”
Genesis & Creation
It all started in 2022 with Aryo collaborating with Nazil Akhtari; whose story this is actually based upon, right towards the end of the pandemic.
After their conversation, Aryo given the artistic freedom, brought it to Elika, his partner in crime both in terms of relation (10 plus years!) and artistic values, where it blossomed into a script. Once the initial ball began rolling, the next step in the process was finding the people they wanted to work with. The first person they approached was Alisha Seriani (production manager), with the final count of people that ended up making this piece to 18!
“I don’t want to make a film, I have a story, do what you want with it“
-Nazil Akhtari
“Russian Hall” right here in the heart of East Hastings in Downtown Vancouver was chosen as the place to film due to its familiarity with everyone involved in the project (Aryo had already filmed 2 projects there previously)
-Credits to the entire team!
Collaboration & Creative Process:
During the audience Q&A, Aryo and Elika discussed how even though Aryo is the director and makes the final call, decisions are made through discussions. Aryo elaborated, “Decisions and choices are a culmination of the material, problems, space, and different visions. It’s more complex than a solo artist making all the decisions.”
Elliot Vaughan, who went to school with Aryo, was the natural choice for sound design and music, despite being in New Zealand at the time. Elika mentioned,
“Even though he was in New Zealand and we had time zone problems, he understood it, especially the Iranian songs which hold a lot of cultural weight.“
They wanted to honor the Persian community, especially since women are no longer allowed to sing publicly in Iran.
When asked about whether dealing with such a heavy topic such as Intersectional Feminism and maintaining a partnership without conflicts, Aryo explained, “There were no issues during the making. We have a background of working in live performance theatre, making things from nothing. New people come in and change things, so it was a familiar process.”
Elika added, “Our strengths are complementary. We don’t step on each other’s toes but add to each other’s process. Living together for over ten years also helps, especially since ‘MUD’ was created during the pandemic.”
Elika shared fascinating insights into her creative process. When asked how magic realism influenced her work, she explained, “Magic realism allows for a richer narrative. It lets us explore deeper truths through fantastical elements, making the personal universal.“
Preceding Short Film: “MUD”
Duration: 10 minutes
Creators: Aryo Khakpour and Elika Mojtabaei
“MUD” is a poetic and visually stunning video art piece that draws inspiration from the performative nature of Persian poetry and storytelling. It examines the harmony between image and words, the intimate relationship between the writer and the performer, and explores the parallels between the urban soundscape and the rhythms of poetry.
Genesis
For “MUD,” Aryo shared that it started as a live performance of Persian poetry put through Google Translate and read in English. Elika’s input was crucial in balancing clarity and ambiguity in the translation process. “This is too clear, this is too vague now,” Elika would often note during their revisions.
“An exploration of the intimate dance between visual art and poetic expression.”
A question about the role of language between the two films brought insightful responses. Aryo explained, “Language has been used as a tool for oppression. We put language ahead of the body, breaking down dichotomies and language. Being bilingual is fortunate.“ He added that for the monologue, they translated Farsi expressions word for word. Whenever the narrative clarified too much, they tried to undermine it constantly.
Meet the Artists
Aryo Khakpour
“Making the familiar, unfamiliar.”
Aryo is a multidisciplinary performer, director, and dramaturg born and raised in Tehran. Since 2006, he has been involved in various theatre, dance, and film productions in Vancouver. As a co-founder of The Biting School, he delves into the dynamics of power, mythologies, and cultural adaptation through a physical and surrealistic practice. His work interrogates patriarchy and aims to queer the status quo. Aryo’s creative journey is one of intersectional feminism and non-hierarchical collective creation.
During the Q&A session, Aryo Khakpour discussed how his work often explores the dynamics of power and mythologies. He shared, “These themes manifest through the protagonist’s encounters with patriarchal institutions, reflecting on the power dynamics between genders and societal expectations.”
Elika Mojtabaei
Elika, an Iranian-born Canadian, is a costume designer, writer, editor and translator based in Vancouver. She co-founded No Small Feat and is an artistic associate with The Biting School.
Her creative process is inspired by extensive research, the movement and stillness of bodies, and the power of material and language. Elika’s work is deeply influenced by magic realism and intersectional feminism.
When asked about balancing different forms of art in his practice, both said, “Each form of art informs the other. Theatre, dance, and film all contribute to a holistic understanding of storytelling and expression.“
Personal Reflections & Final Thoughts
As someone deeply passionate about the arts, this event at The Polygon Gallery was incredibly enriching. The blending of technical insight with a profound appreciation for culture and community allowed for a unique experience of artistic expression. Storytelling, with its power to connect and inspire, was at the heart of this event.
“Storytelling has the power to connect and inspire people from all walks of life.”
The premiere of “A Film About a Uterus” was an immersive experience that resonated deeply. The artist Q&A session provided valuable insights into the creators’ minds and the inspirations behind their work.
This extraordinary evening of film and conversation at The Polygon Gallery was truly unforgettable. For those who missed it, keep an eye out for future events and screenings by Elika Mojtabaei and Aryo Khakpour. Their work is not to be missed!
Stay tuned for more updates and reflections on Vancouver’s vibrant cultural scene right here on Serene Jaimin Kenya 97.
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Until next time, keep exploring and appreciating the arts around you!
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4 responses to “A Surrealist Evening at The Polygon Gallery: Premiere of “A Film About a Uterus”
[…] and perspective. She was accompanied by Aryo Khakpour — whose work I previously highlighted in “A Surrealist Evening at The Polygon Gallery: Premiere of a Film About a Uterus“. Together, they explore themes of power dynamics and cultural adaptation through their physical and […]
[…] of Aryo’s work as the man behind the lens in the GAME PROJECT as well as his surrealist piece MUD at the Polygon Gallery. Empty-Handed takes their collaboration to new heights, merging live […]
[…] Blood Never Failed Me Yet“ by Aryo Khakpour: Yes, the same Aryo from GAME PROJECT!, MUD as well as EMPTY-HANDED. A crown of crayons and a confrontation in the park between Tom Waits and […]
[…] through hidden Vancouver stories. And then there was my first meeting with him and his wife, at the Polygon Gallery, where I witnessed their surrealist vision firsthand. Each time, their work has been a layered, […]