FREMONT
DRAMA | English, Dari, Cantonese | 92 min
Donya, a young Afghan who moved to Fremont, California after serving as a translator for the American army, spends her days working at a fortune cookie factory and her nights wide awake battling between her desire to rebuild her life and the overbearing guilt she carries within. In a bid to connect with the world, she sends an unconventional message through a fortune cookie. Tinged with Jarmuschian deadpan humour, this sensitive immigrant tale premiered in the 2023 Sundance NEXT section before playing at SXSW and Karlovy Vary and will close the 2023 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Co-written with Carolina Cavalli (Amanda) and starring newcomer and former journalist Anaita Wali Zada alongside Jeremy Allen White (The Bear and A24's upcoming The Iron Claw by Sean Durkin) and comedian Gregg Turkington (Ant-Man). Cameo by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and his daughter.
DIRECTOR Babak Jalali
WRITERS Carolina Cavalli & Babak Jalali
CAST Anaita Wali Zada, Jeremy Allen White, Gregg Turkington
PRODUCERS Marjaneh Moghimi, Sudnya Shroff, Rachael Fung, George Rush, Chris Martin & Laura Wagner
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN United States
“presents the action in sharply detailed vignettes that emphasise both the poignant absurdities of situation and the wider conflicts that underlie them”
— The New Yorker
“this film is a small miracle … Unexpectedly moving …
Flirty but polite … makes you smile and blush”
— Hammer to Nail
“An Afghan Insomniac Tries To Find Purpose In A Refreshingly
Unique & Jarmuschian-Esque Indie Dramedy”
— The Playlist
“SWEET and sneakily powerful … strikes a beautiful tone with a deadpan
sense of humor … You’ll come out wondering HOW and why you’re moved to tears ”
— Variety
AWARDS + FESTIVALS
2023 Sundance Film Festival
World Premiere, NEXT
2023 SXSW Film Festival
Official Selection
2023 San Francisco International Film Festival
Official Selection
2023 Karlovy Vary Film Festival
Winner: Best Director, Crystal Globe Competition
2023 Seattle International Film Festival
Official Selection
2023 Edinburgh International Film Festival
UK Premiere, Closing Night Film