TEHRAN-With the closing of submissions for Best International Feature at the 2025 Oscars, 82 films have been selected by their respective countries and more titles are still expected to be announced. This year, “In the Arms of the Tree,” written and directed by Babak Khajepasha will represent Iran at the 97th Academy Awards.

The Tehran Times has conducted an interview with the director about the selection of his drama, which happened to be his directorial debut feature film.

Replying to the query if he thought of international success while making the film, Khajepasha said: “During the production process, the main concern of the team involved was to make a good film. Earlier, during the scriptwriting phase, my personal focus was to address a deep pain of modern humanity and to explore issues surrounding the family”.

“For me, family is one of the most important foundations of human society, and I believe we should do whatever we can to preserve it. From the very beginning, I wanted to create something meaningful,” he added.

“Everything that has happened to the film—whether the awards it has won or its selection for the Oscars—is, in my opinion, because of the message the film conveys. The film itself is making its way. Whenever a work of art carries a deeply human message, it can resonate and become lasting. A film that speaks on humanity will achieve great success the creator might never have imagined,” he stressed.

The Tehran Times asked the director how well he thinks his film will connect with global audiences considering the film’s theme of family. “Themes like family, children’s issues, and human concerns exist in every society. I believe ‘In the Arms of the Tree’ will find its place with international audiences. In the festivals I’ve attended, I saw that viewers connected with the film. The challenges children face, family issues, and divorce are universal concerns in today’s world, and I think this film can resonate on the international stage,” he answered.

Khajepasha has collaborated with well-known Iranian filmmakers including Majid Majidi and Reza Mirkarimi as an assistant director, both of whom have had their films represent Iran at the Oscars in previous editions. Speaking about their influence, if any, on his filmmaking, he said: “I had the honor of working as an assistant for these two distinguished directors for many years, and I certainly gained professional and intellectual influence from them. Their approach to filmmaking has definitely left an impact on me”.

“Instead of choosing role models far removed from our own identity and cinema, we can look to those who are closer and more accessible. Both of these directors have been great role models for me, both professionally and through their films,” he noted.

“However, right now, I’m trying to develop my own unique perspective in cinema, though, of course, every student is shaped by their teachers to some extent,” the filmmaker asserted.

Regarding the recent trends in the Best International Feature category at the Oscars and chances for his film to enter the final nominees, Khajepasha said: “Well, in recent years, we’ve seen films with similar themes and approaches succeed internationally, including at the Oscars. It’s true that over the past decade, Iranian cinema has often presented a certain style that some festivals have become accustomed to, but ‘In the Arms of the Tree’ is a simple, storytelling Iranian film. It carries the flavor, color, and essence of our land. My responsibility is to create a film that elevates my identity. This film attempts to showcase the beauty of this country, to portray the authenticity of the Iranian family, and to highlight its culture. Whether it aligns with the tastes of Academy members is another issue, but our duty as artists is to present what we have in the best possible way”.

“We don't always need to tell the world about our cinema through tragic narratives or portray suffering. Our job is to tell stories, to have strong drama. Sometimes, instead of focusing on telling a well-constructed story, visual elements, or logical direction, we turn to themes full of misery and wish for their success in foreign festivals. I believe that we should strive to tell better, more standard stories - stories that elevate both our culture and our filmmaking industry, and move us toward a more distinctly Iranian cinema,” he concluded.

Khajepasha, 43, is an emerging filmmaker, and “In the Arms of the Tree” is his first feature-length film, gaining significant attention in Iran's film industry. The movie tells the story of Kimia and Farid, a couple married for twelve years, whose life crisis shatters their children’s world, children who know nothing but simplicity and kindness in life.

The movie explores themes of familial relationships and emotional reconnections between parents and children. At the heart of the story is Kimia, a northern mother grappling with the trauma of past abuse and a debilitating fear of distance. Her husband, Farid, an Azeri father with a passion for travel and medicinal plants, adds to the tension as the couple prepares for a separation exercise.

As Kimia and Farid's relationship deteriorates, their two sons, 11-year-old Taha and his five-year-old brother Alisan, become unlikely heroes in this emotional turmoil. Taha, deeply caring and protective, is determined to shield Alisan from the fallout of their parents' crises. The boys' strong bond and friendship serve as a beacon of hope amid the tumult, highlighting the innocence of childhood and the power of familial love in the face of adversity.

The film captures the impact of marital discord on children, illustrating how their lives can be disturbed by their parents' struggles. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of love, connection, and the delicate balance needed to preserve a family in crisis.

Maral Baniadam, Javad Ghamati, Rouhollah Zamani, Ahoura Lotfi, and Rayan Lotfi are in the cast among others.

A production of 2023, the film won a Crystal Simorgh award for Best Screenplay and an Honorable Mention for Best First Film upon its premiere at the 41st Fajr Film Festival. It was also named the best film in the international section of the first edition of Iran’s Havva International Film Festival in 2023.

The movie has been screened in several international festivals in countries such as China, Switzerland, and the UAE. Earlier this month, “In the Arms of the Tree” opened the Kazan International Film Festival Altyn Minbar in Russia.

The 97th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. A shortlist of 15 finalists in the Best International Feature category is scheduled to be announced on December 17, 2024, with the final five nominees announced on January 17, 2025.

Iran has a history of submitting films to the Oscars for over three decades, with past films by directors like Asghar Farhadi and Majid Majidi receiving three nominations and two awards.

Photo: A scene from “In the Arms of the Tree” by Babak Khajepasha

SS/SAB