The documentary “A Move” by Elahe Esmaili brings us into an Iranian family’s life. When venturing into the field, like Cole describes in the introduction, we, the viewers, stepped into the families life to observe, listen, and watch them tell their story. “We focus on words…which kind of language, written by what person…” (Pg4).The documentary film, while only 19 minutes long, explores the deeper meaning of the movement “Woman, Life, Freedom” due to the fact we put ourselves in the setting of a woman with her own family.
As Cole depicts, documentaries are about entering someone’s world, so honesty is necessary. Inspired by the movement, Esmaili comes “home” to a family event, without wearing her Hijab, and as viewed in the documentary, the older women of the house focus a lot on the woman wearing hats, leading to the audience realizing that dress is a central part of life and the culture in Iran. Home is where her family is, however, not where she is always herself. Esmaili’s family was worried Esamili would not be let into the religious area due to not wearing a hat or hijab because traditionally, not wearing a cover is disrespectful to beliefs. What I believe is the sister, she said “If he makes a comment about you, we all will be in shame” talking about the owner of the house. When walking into the family event, the father added, “adjust yourself to respect him too.” Esmaili did not “adjust herself,” instead she walked in with her head held high, being herself and continuing the movement, not just for herself, but for other women part of traditional households who want to venture out.
The film relates to Cole’s goal of venturing into streets that are not ours by viewing Esmaili in a personal setting, changing our perspectives of what happens behind closed doors. We, as the audience, cannot watch something at once and produce a paper. Second viewings matter due to picking up something different and picking up on emotions and symbols. When watching the film the second time, I see her family’s judgement of Esmaili wanting to be herself. Not wearing a cover is what she feels comfortable with, rather than following the “norm.”
By becoming the main focused character of her own documentary, Esmaili provides a first-person view of the emotional and social challenges of the generational struggles happening in certain cultures. Her film of her own personal storytelling showcases universal issues happening just around the corner. Her hope of being open and honest to herself and her family is to help others be that way for themselves as well.
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