Sepideh (film) explained

Sepideh – Reaching for the Stars
Director:	Berit Madsen
Producer:	Henrik Underbjerg Stefan Frost
Cinematography:	Mohammad Reza Jahan Panah
Editing:	Peter Winther
Studio:	Radiator Film ApS
Distributor:	LevelK
Runtime:	91 minutes
Country:	Iran Denmark Germany Norway Sweden
Language:	Persian English

Sepideh – Reaching for the Stars is a 2013 Persian-language Danish documentary film written and directed by Berit Madsen.^{[1] [2]} The film premiered in-competition at the 2013 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam on November 24, 2013.^[3]

The film later premiered in-competition in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 2014.^{[4] [5]}

After its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the film become available in United States and Canada by iTunes.^[6] In 2014 the film won the Maysles Brothers Award at 14th Belfast Film Festival.^[7]

Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Iranian citizen Sepideh wants to become an astronaut. But at her age the nightly stargazing excursions in the desert are a dangerous thorn in the side of family and traditions. She watches a clip of the first female Persian astronaut Anousheh Ansari, and after that she becomes more serious in her efforts. Sepideh writes a letter to Anoosheh and this letter changes her life.^[8]

Reception

Sepideh – Reaching for the Stars received mostly positive reviews upon its premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Dennis Harvey of Variety, said in his review that "Berit Madsen's documentary offers a leisurely, engaging portrait of a provincial Iranian teenager who dreams of becoming an astronaut."^[9] Neil Young in his review for The Hollywood Reporter called the film "Engaging if earthbound documentary is elevated by its subject's feisty pluck."^[10] Katie Walsh from Indiewire praised the film by saying that "“Sepideh—Reaching For the Stars,” is an example of why capturing these dreams, and the continued struggles that young women in the world face for simply having dreams, is an important locus for documentary filmmaking."^[11]

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result
2013	International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam	Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary	Berit Madsen
2014	Sundance Film Festival	World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary	Berit Madsen	^[12] ^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Berit Madsen, SEPIDEH - Reaching For The Stars. April 14, 2014.
2. Web site: An Iranian Girl, Battling to Be an Astronomer. April 14, 2014.
3. Web site: IDFA Doc Spotlights Unlikely Dream of a Young Iranian Woman. April 14, 2014.
4. Web site: Sundance 2014: World Cinema Documentary Competition. January 18, 2014.
5. Web site: 2014 Sundance Documentary competitions showcase Nick Cave, Internet paranoia and more. April 14, 2014.
6. Web site: Many Sundance films coming to theaters near you. https://archive.today/20140421233654/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-01-24/many-sundance-films-coming-to-theaters-near-you. dead. April 21, 2014. 12 April 2014.
7. Web site: Maysles Brothers Award goes to Sepideh Reaching for the Stars. 27 August 2014.
8. Web site: Sepideh Reaching for the Stars at Dutch Cinemas. 28 August 2014.
9. Web site: Sundance Film Review: 'Sepideh'. April 14, 2014.
10. Web site: Sepideh - Reaching for the Stars: IDFA Review. April 14, 2014.
11. Web site: Sundance Review: Documentary 'Sepideh' An Inspiring Observation Of One Young Woman's Otherworldly Dreams. April 14, 2014.
12. Web site: Sundance: 'Whiplash' & 'Rich Hill' Win Grand Jury Awards; Dramatic Directing Goes To Cutter Hodierne For 'Fishing Without Nets'. January 26, 2014.
13. Web site: 'Whiplash' Owns the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Awards Netting Two Top Prizes. January 26, 2014.