Direction: Noora Niasari
Country: Australia
Noora Niasari's Shayda delves into a compelling drama that draws from the Iranian-Australian director's own childhood experiences. Executive produced by Cate Blanchett and featuring Zar Amir Ebrahimi - the protagonist of Holy Spider (2022) - as the title character, the film centers on a young Iranian mother fighting for custody of her six-year-old daughter (Selina Zahednia) in Australia after enduring years of domestic violence. Seeking refuge from the aggressor, Hossein (Osamah Sami), mother and daughter find shelter in a women’s refuge.
The topic is greater than the film, which, unfolding with honesty, exposes patriarchal issues in Iranian society with familiar tones while carrying a universal appeal. An unremitting sense of anxiety pervades the realistic scenes, constantly charmed by Ebrahimi’s strong presence.
Shayda may feel a bit clunky in places but that can't stifle the sheer force of the emotion it evokes. Niasari's admirable feature debut serves as a tribute to her mother and all the courageous women of Iran.
