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{{short description|Iranian artist and filmmaker (born 1992)}}
{{short description|Artist and filmmaker (born 1992)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Amina Maher
| name = Amina Maher
| native_name = {{lang|fa|امین ماهر}}
| native_name = {{lang|fa|امین ماهر}}
| image = AminaMaher CCMeretMadoerin.jpg
| image =
| caption = Maher in 2021
| caption =
| birth_name = Amin Maher
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|03|05}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|03|05}}
| birth_place = [[Tehran, Iran]]
| birth_place = [[Tehran, Iran]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
⚫
| occupation = [[Film director|Director]], [[filmmaker]], [[actress]], [[film editor]]
| education = [[University of Tehran]], [[Limkokwing University of Creative Technology]] (BA), [[Konrad Wolf Film University of Babelsberg]] (MA)
⚫
| occupation = [[Film director|Director]], [[filmmaker]], [[actress]], [[writer]], [[film editor]]
⚫
| notable_works = ''Letter to My Mother'' (2019)
| mother = [[Mania Akbari]]
}}
}}


'''Amina Maher''' ({{lang-fa|امین ماهر}}, born as ''Amin Maher'' in 1992 in [[Tehran, Iran]]) is an Iranian queer artist and filmmaker whose works train her unblinking gaze on the breakdown of family structure, shame culture, and patriarchal myths.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://frauenfilmfest.com/9-juni-amina-maher-zu-gast-in-unserer-programmreihe-art-on-the-move-im-dortmunder-museum-ostwall/ | title=9. Juni: Amina Maher zu Gast in unserer Programmreihe »Art on the MOve« im Dortmunder Museum Ostwall | date=31 May 2022 }}</ref> Her films have been part of [[Cannes Film Festival]], [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]], [[Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival]] - CPH:DOX, [[Marseille Festival of Documentary Film]] - FID Marseille,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/cristi-puiu-feature-among-marseilles-fidlab-2022-projects/5171247.article | title=Cristi Puiu feature among Marseille's FIDLab 2022 projects }}</ref> [[Feminale]] - The International Dortmund | Cologne Women's Film Festival and [[Shorts México]] among many others.
'''Amina Maher''' ({{lang-fa|امین ماهر}}, born 1992) is an Iranian-born queer feminist artist, activist, actress, and filmmaker living in Berlin, Germany. Her works are focused on the breakdown of family structure, shame culture, and patriarchal myths. Her creative works criticize traditions, media, culture, and norms. Her cinematic activity began as the main actor in [[Abbas Kiarostami]] and [[Mania Akbari]]´s [[Ten (2002 film)|''Ten'']] (2002) nominated for the [[Palme d'Or]] at [[Cannes Film Festival]]. Since then, she acted, edited and has been in films that have been part of festivals such as [[Cannes Film Festival]], [[British Film Institute]], [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]] and [[International Film Festival Rotterdam]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://frauenfilmfest.com/9-juni-amina-maher-zu-gast-in-unserer-programmreihe-art-on-the-move-im-dortmunder-museum-ostwall/ | title=9. Juni: Amina Maher zu Gast in unserer Programmreihe »Art on the MOve« im Dortmunder Museum Ostwall | date=31 May 2022 }}</ref>

Her directorial short films have been internationally well received with +200 festival participations and +50 Awards from festivals such as [[Ann Arbor Film Festival]], [[TLVFest]], [[Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival]], [[Expresión en Corto International Film Festival]] and [[Shorts México]], among many others. Her three short films - ''Letter to My Mother'', ''Out of Frame'' and ''Where Is the Friend´s Home?'' - have been part of the [[Internationales Frauen* Film Fest Dortmund+Köln]] and [[Museum Ostwall]] in 2022.

Her creative work explores childhood memories, mental health and self-realization with a mission to amplify trans and queer storylines. Her first directorial debüt feature has been part of [[Berlin International Film Festival]] - Dok Station Lab,<ref>https://www.berlinale-talents.de/bt/project/profile/291928 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> [[Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival]] - CPH:DOX Forum, and FID Lab [[Marseille Festival of Documentary Film]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/cristi-puiu-feature-among-marseilles-fidlab-2022-projects/5171247.article | title=Cristi Puiu feature among Marseille's FIDLab 2022 projects }}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
⚫
Amina Maher was born 1992, in [[Tehran, Iran]]. She started writing poems and short stories at a very early age. Her creative work is rooted in exploring interpersonal relationships, childhood memories, mental health and self-realization with a mission to amplify trans and queer storylines. Amina Maher began her cinematic activity as the main actor in Abbas Kiarostami and Mania Akbari's ''[[Ten (2002 film)|Ten]]'', which recorded ten-year-old Amina sitting in the passenger seat of her mother's car without her knowledge. Maher left her family at the age of fifteen and began to live on her own.<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Rebecca|date=28 February 2021|url=https://cinemafemme.com/2021/02/28/amina-mahers-letter-to-my-mother-is-a-courageous-and-unflinching-self-portrait/|title=Amina Maher's "Letter to My Mother" is a courageous and unflinching self-portrait|work=Cinema Femme|access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinematicperception.com/letter-to-my-mother/|title=Letter to my mother|work=Cinematic Perception|access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref>
[[File:Amina Maher - Fid Lab Marseille.jpg|thumb|left|Amina Maher - Fid Marseille 2022]]
⚫
Amina Maher began her cinematic activity as the main protagonist in [[Abbas Kiarostami]]'s ''[[Ten (2002 film)|Ten]]'', which recorded ten-year-old Amina sitting in the passenger seat of her mother's car without her knowledge. Maher left her family at the age of fifteen and began to live on her own.<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Rebecca|date=28 February 2021|url=https://cinemafemme.com/2021/02/28/amina-mahers-letter-to-my-mother-is-a-courageous-and-unflinching-self-portrait/|title=Amina Maher's "Letter to My Mother" is a courageous and unflinching self-portrait|work=Cinema Femme|access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinematicperception.com/letter-to-my-mother/|title=Letter to my mother|work=Cinematic Perception|access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref>


Between 2006 and 2012, Maher continued her cinematic activity as an actor, assistant director, and editor to her mother, [[Mania Akbari]], on several films, such as "10+4" which premiered at Cannes Acid Section and [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]] in 2006, as well as "From Tehran to London", premiered in 2013 at [[International Film Festival Rotterdam]]. In 2007, she started her filmmaking practices by filming her friends both at school and later at university. She was arrested two days after [[2009 Iranian presidential election]] and had been subjected to serious beatings. The reasons for her arrest were her support to [[Iranian Green Movement]] and that she had been identified as an active participant during the presidential campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nwfilmforum.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/amin-maher-the-actor-in-abass-kiarostamis-movie-ten-and-son-of-mania-akbari-arrested/|title = Amin Maher, Actor in Abass Kiarostami's "Ten" and Son of Mania Akbari Arrested|date = 23 June 2009}}</ref>
Between 2006 and 2012, Maher continued her cinematic activity as an actor, assistant director and editor to her mother, [[Mania Akbari]], on several films, such as ''10+4'' which premiered at Cannes Acid Section and [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]] in 2006, as well as ''From Tehran to London'', premiered in 2013 at [[International Film Festival Rotterdam]]. In 2007, she started filming her friends both at school and later at university. She was arrested two days after [[2009 Iranian presidential election]] and had been subjected to serious beatings. The reasons for her arrest were her support to [[Iranian Green Movement]] and that she had been identified as an active participant during the presidential campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nwfilmforum.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/amin-maher-the-actor-in-abass-kiarostamis-movie-ten-and-son-of-mania-akbari-arrested/|title = Amin Maher, Actor in Abbas Kiarostami's "Ten" and Son of Mania Akbari Arrested|date = 23 June 2009}}</ref>


In 2010 she began her study at [[University of Tehran]]. Three months later, she was arrested for the second time due to her political activities and for attending the Student Day demonstration against the dictatorship. This time she spent a week in the notorious Evin prison. Maher subsequently left Iran to Dubai and then to Malaysia.
In 2010, she began her study at [[University of Tehran]]. Three months later, she was arrested for the second time due to her political activities and for attending the Student Day demonstration against the dictatorship. This time she spent a week in the notorious Evin prison. Maher subsequently left Iran to Dubai and then to Malaysia.


In 2016, she received her bachelor's degree in filmmaking from Limkokwing University in Malaysia. Her first short film was Cold Wine, followed by Orange and One Window Will Suffice.
In 2016, she received her bachelor's degree in filmmaking from Limkokwing University in Malaysia. Her first student short film was ''Cold Wine'' (2012), followed by ''Orange'' and ''One Window Will Suffice''.


Her multi-awarded short film, ''Letter to My Mother'', was well received internationally with +200 festival selections and +50 Awards. The film has been part of [[Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival]] forum<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/cphdox-industry-wrap-greta-thunberg-doc-stirs-interest-at-pitching-forum/5138167.article?referrer=RSS | title=CPH:DOX industry wrap: Greta Thunberg doc stirs interest at pitching forum }}</ref> as well as the competitions at numerous Int. film festivals such as 36th Kasseler Dokfest, 38th [[Feminale]] - The International Dortmund | Cologne Women's Film Festival,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frauenfilmfest.com/en/movie/a-letter-to-my-mother/|title = A Letter to My Mother}}</ref> 15th [[Shorts México]]<ref>http://shortsmexico.com/ganadores-2020/ Special Jury Prize for the film Letter to my mother</ref> and 26th [[Chéries-Chéris]] (Festival du Film Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans & ++++ de Paris).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cheries-cheris.com/festival/films/competition-courts-metrages-queer-mada/ | title=Compétition Courts Métrages Queer – Mada }}</ref> The film is about her own experiences of childhood sexual abuse.
Her multi-award winning short film, ''Letter to My Mother'' (2019), was well received internationally with over 200 festival selections and over 50 Awards. For four years in a row, the film has been constantly programmed among numerous arthouse-oriented film festivals. It has been part of [[Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival]] forum<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/cphdox-industry-wrap-greta-thunberg-doc-stirs-interest-at-pitching-forum/5138167.article?referrer=RSS | title=CPH:DOX industry wrap: Greta Thunberg doc stirs interest at pitching forum }}</ref> as well as the competitions at numerous international film festivals, such as 36th Kasseler Dokfest, 38th [[Feminale]] - The International Dortmund | Cologne Women's Film Festival,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frauenfilmfest.com/en/movie/a-letter-to-my-mother/|title = A Letter to My Mother}}</ref> the 15th [[Shorts México]]<ref name="shortsmexico.com">http://shortsmexico.com/ganadores-2020/ Special Jury Prize for the film Letter to my mother</ref> and the 26th [[Chéries-Chéris]] (Festival du Film Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans & ++++ de Paris).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cheries-cheris.com/festival/films/competition-courts-metrages-queer-mada/ | title=Compétition Courts Métrages Queer – Mada }}</ref> The film is about her own experiences of childhood sexual abuse.


Among numerous reviews, the film was described as avant-garde and moving, a means for survival, a way to stand up and to understand – a fearless and strong examination that touches upon the center of the pain and dares to look precisely. َHer film navigates the vast yet fragile space between self-exploration and family politics within a sociocultural frame.<ref>[https://www.kasselerdokfest.de/en/online-programm/2019-11-15/p-13fe8c98-34ed-4649-9ee1-38ce9c47435d/i-c8a97503-ec71-4306-b176-ede095f06ba2 Letter to my mother at 36th Kassel Documentary Film Festival]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.grrlhauscinema.com/gimme-5/letter-to-my-mother-amina-maher | title=Letter to My Mother - Amina Maher }}</ref>
Among numerous reviews, the film was described as avant-garde, poignant and moving, a means for survival, a way to stand up and to understand – a fearless and strong examination that touches upon the center of the pain and dares to look precisely. Her film navigates the vast yet fragile space between self-exploration and family politics within a sociocultural frame.<ref name="kasselerdokfest.de">[https://www.kasselerdokfest.de/en/online-programm/2019-11-15/p-13fe8c98-34ed-4649-9ee1-38ce9c47435d/i-c8a97503-ec71-4306-b176-ede095f06ba2 Letter to my mother at 36th Kassel Documentary Film Festival]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.grrlhauscinema.com/gimme-5/letter-to-my-mother-amina-maher | title=Letter to My Mother - Amina Maher }}</ref>


''Letter to My Mother'' received more than 50 International Awards, such as the Audience Award and the Special Jury Prize at 23rd [[Indie Memphis]] Film Festival, USA<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiememphis.org/2020-awards|title = 2020 Awards}}</ref> and Special Jury price at 15th [[Shorts México]]<ref>http://shortsmexico.com/ganadores-2020/ Special Jury Prize for the film Letter to my mother</ref> and [[Beirut International Women Film Festival]].
''Letter to My Mother'' received awards such as the Audience Award and the Special Jury Prize at the 23rd [[Indie Memphis]] Film Festival, USA<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiememphis.org/2020-awards|title = 2020 Awards}}</ref> and Special Jury price at the 15th [[Shorts México]]<ref name="shortsmexico.com"/> and the [[Beirut International Women Film Festival]].


Due to directing controversial films, she fled to Germany in 2018. After moving to Berlin in 2019, she started her MA study in Film Directing at [[Konrad Wolf Film University of Babelsberg]].
Due to directing controversial films, Maher fled to Germany in 2018. After moving to Berlin in 2019, she started her MA degree study in film directing at [[Konrad Wolf Film University of Babelsberg]].<ref name=":0" />


Maher is also a genderqueer feminist activist. Her activism is about body politics & transgender rights concerning the experiences of marginalization, sexual abuse, sexuality, dictatorship and oppressive systems, decolonizing the body and gender. She encourages herself and her environment to embrace vulnerability and reclaim bodies, care and pleasure.
⚫
==''Letter to My Mother''==


==''Letter to My Mother'' (2019)==
⚫
The film is self-produced, directed, written, performed, and distributed. It has evoked wider social debate, highlighting the need and benefit of survivors and communities being able to speak openly about their own experiences of sexual assault and harassment.


⚫
The film ''Letter to My Mother'' (2019) was self-produced, directed, written, performed, and distributed. It has evoked wider social debate, highlighting the need and benefit of sexual assault survivors and communities being able to speak openly about their own experiences of sexual assault and harassment.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Yaghoobi |first=Claudia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fkD2EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA154 |title=The #MeToo Movement in Iran: Reporting Sexual Violence and Harassment |date=2023-08-24 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-0-7556-4726-2 |pages=154–155 |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
''Letter to My Mother'' won numerous awards and nominations and had been part of the program of more than 100 international film festivals in more than 40 countries. 35th Lovers Film Festival - Torino LGBTQI Visions,<ref>https://www.loversff.com/it/scheda-film/174/ Letter to my mother at 35th Lovers Film Festival</ref> 34th Mix Milano Film Festival in Italy, 9th [[Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival]] in Spain,<ref>http://www.festivaldecurtasbh.com.br/en/ensaios-e-entrevista/texto-corpo-politico/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> and 27th Blue Sea Film Festival in Finland are some of the festivals in which the film was programmed or was nominated for the main award.


⚫
''Letter to My Mother'' won numerous awards and nominations and had been part of the program of more than 100 international film festivals in more than 40 countries. 35th Lovers Film Festival - Torino LGBTQI Visions,<ref name=":0">https://www.loversff.com/it/scheda-film/174/ Letter to my mother at the 35th Lovers Film Festival</ref> 34th Mix Milano Film Festival in Italy, the 9th [[Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival]] in Spain,<ref name="festivaldecurtasbh.com.br">http://www.festivaldecurtasbh.com.br/en/ensaios-e-entrevista/texto-corpo-politico/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> and the 27th Blue Sea Film Festival in Finland are some of the festivals in which the film was programmed or was nominated for the main award
The film won more than 50 awards including the special jury prize at 15th [[Shorts México]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shortsmexico.com/ganadores-2020/|title=Ganadores 2020|date=21 September 2020}}</ref> Winner of the best film at 16th Davis Feminist Film Festival in the category of The Body & The Self, The Best short Documentary on Human Rights at Venice Intercultural Film Festival<ref>[https://www.fortinfest.org/best-doc-human-rights/?lang=en Letter to my mother wins the best short Doc on Human Rights]</ref> and Award of Recognition at Impact Docs Award.<ref>[https://impactdocsawards.com/awards-of-recognition-july-2020/?fbclid=IwAR2M_Kj0wAk58e3LQdnf3yNTs36EbmtOD00VhjhNcPgt3KThDpLysPPzmA0 Letter to my mother wins awards of recognition]</ref>


===Other Selections and Participations===
===Other selections and participations===


*''10th Sicilia Queer filmfest, Italy''
*''10th Sicilia Queer filmfest, Italy''
Line 50: Line 57:
*''[[Chennai International Queer Film Festival]]''
*''[[Chennai International Queer Film Festival]]''


===Reviews===
== Reviews ==
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Essays on the political body at 22nd Belo Horizonte International Film Festival, Brazil: "In ''Letter to my Mother'', Amina Maher conceives a complex montage assembling autobiographical report, epistolary language, archives, and performance. The filmmaker goes through archives of her own therapy sessions and images from the movie, ''Ten'' (2002), in which she participated when she was a child, in search of the creation of an autonomous body, one not defined by abuse. One that is free from restraint".<ref name="festivaldecurtasbh.com.br"/>

⚫
Essays on the political body at 22nd Belo Horizonte International Film Festival, Brazil: In Letter to my mother, Amina Maher conceives a complex montage assembling autobiographical report, epistolary language, archives, and performance. The filmmaker goes through archives of her own therapy sessions and images from the movie, Ten (2002), in which she participated when she was a child, in search of the creation of an autonomous body, one not defined by abuse. One that is free from restraint.<ref>http://www.festivaldecurtasbh.com.br/en/ensaios-e-entrevista/texto-corpo-politico/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>


The jury statement at 15th SMHAF: "This is more than just a film. It is an act of courage and radical honesty. It pushes the boundaries in its cinematic discourse on violence, identity, gender, and sexuality; whilst maintaining an unflinching intimacy as the filmmaker shares a long-held secret with her mother and searches for ways of coping and moving forward."
The jury statement at 15th SMHAF: "This is more than just a film. It is an act of courage and radical honesty. It pushes the boundaries in its cinematic discourse on violence, identity, gender, and sexuality; whilst maintaining an unflinching intimacy as the filmmaker shares a long-held secret with her mother and searches for ways of coping and moving forward."

Dutch Culture: Within the multifarious strands of filmmaking practice, Maher's filmmaking uses trauma therapy as a theme and it is characterized by a few key factors: its an autoethnographic approach, a desire for honest self-examination, and a play with notions of cinema, reality and life. As the direct victim of abuse, she gave an insight into an experience that is impossible to imagine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dutchculture.nl/en/news/interview-film-director-amina-maher-iqmf|title=Film director Amina Maher: "Art is the best alternative to revenge" &#124; DutchCulture &#124; Centre for international cooperation}}</ref>
Dutch Culture: "Within the multifarious strands of filmmaking practice, Maher's filmmaking uses trauma therapy as a theme and it is characterized by a few key factors: its an autoethnographic approach, a desire for honest self-examination, and a play with notions of cinema, reality and life. As the direct victim of abuse, she gave an insight into an experience that is impossible to imagine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dutchculture.nl/en/news/interview-film-director-amina-maher-iqmf|title=Film director Amina Maher: "Art is the best alternative to revenge" &#124; DutchCulture &#124; Centre for international cooperation|date=3 December 2020 }}</ref>


==#MeToo movement in Iran and Interview with [[Iran International]]==
==#MeToo movement in Iran and Interview with [[Iran International]]==
⚫
On 25 August 2019, the Persian TV channel, [[Iran International]] interviewed Maher, where she came forward publicly that a family member had raped her over a four years period.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Groen |first=Marne |date=3 December 2020 |title=Film director Amina Maher: "Art is the best alternative to revenge" |url=https://dutchculture.nl/news/interview-film-director-amina-maher-iqmf |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=dutchculture.nl |language=en}}</ref> With this interview, she had also her coming out as a trans woman in [[Persian language|Persian]]-speaking media, which was followed by a large number of insults, transphobic comments and attacks on social media. Maher's appearance rarely had been seen on mainstream [[Persian language|Persian]]-speaking TV before.
[[File:Amina Maher Interview with Iran International.jpg|thumb|Amina Maher - Interview with Iran International 2020]]
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In November 2019, Amina Maher finished her debut short film, ''Letter to My Mother'' which stems from her own experience of childhood sexual abuse. On 25 August, the Persian TV channel, [[Iran International]] interviewed Maher, where she came forward publicly that a family member had raped her over a four years period. With this interview, she had also her coming out as a trans woman in [[Persian language|Persian]]-speaking media, which was followed by a large number of insults, transphobic comments, haters, and attacks on social media. Maher's appearance rarely had been seen on Persian-language TV before.


==Life and other activities==
==Life and other activities==
⚫
When Maher was a child, her real-life relationship with her mother, Mania Akbari, was featured in the movie ''[[Ten (2002 film)|Ten]]''. Four years after that, Maher performed the main role in Mania Akbari's ''10+4'', a continuation of the movie ''Ten'', which followed Akbari's battle with breast cancer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://biff.kr/eng/html/archive/arc_history12_02.asp?mode=view&idx=12003&piff_code=2007 |title=Movie 10+4 |access-date=2016-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030237/http://biff.kr/eng/html/archive/arc_history12_02.asp?mode=view&idx=12003&piff_code=2007 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''10+4'' screened at [[Cannes International Film Festival]] and [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]] amongst many other festivals and received critical praise.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lacid.org/-Programmation-ACID-Cannes-2008- |title=10+4 in Cannes international film festival, L'ACID section |access-date=2016-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820114226/http://www.lacid.org/-Programmation-ACID-Cannes-2008- |archive-date=2017-08-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Afterwards, Maher followed her film activities as an actress, editor and assistant director to her mother on ''6 Video Arts''<ref>[http://www.mania-film.com/films/6-video-arts/ 6 Video Arts, 2007]</ref> and ''From Tehran to London''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tirgan.ca/event/tehran-london-qa |title=Amin Maher, Assistant director of "From Tehran to London" |access-date=2016-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305000952/http://www.tirgan.ca/event/tehran-london-qa |archive-date=2016-03-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Amina Maher - Portrait.jpg|thumb|left|Amina Maher - Portrait 2021]]
⚫
When Maher was a child, her real-life relationship with her mother, Mania Akbari was featured in the movie, ''Ten''. Four years after that, Maher performed the main role in Mania Akbari's ''10+4'', a continuation of the movie ''Ten'' which followed Akbari's battle with breast cancer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://biff.kr/eng/html/archive/arc_history12_02.asp?mode=view&idx=12003&piff_code=2007 |title=Movie 10+4 |access-date=2016-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030237/http://biff.kr/eng/html/archive/arc_history12_02.asp?mode=view&idx=12003&piff_code=2007 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> "10+4" screened at [[Cannes International Film Festival]] and [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]] amongst many other festivals and received critical praise.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lacid.org/-Programmation-ACID-Cannes-2008- |title=10+4 in Cannes international film festival, L'ACID section |access-date=2016-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820114226/http://www.lacid.org/-Programmation-ACID-Cannes-2008- |archive-date=2017-08-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Afterwards, Maher followed her film activities as an actress, editor and assistant director to her mother, Mania Akbari on "6 Video Arts" <ref>[http://www.mania-film.com/films/6-video-arts/ 6 Video Arts, 2007]</ref> and "From Tehran to London".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tirgan.ca/event/tehran-london-qa |title=Amin Maher, Assistant director of "From Tehran to London" |access-date=2016-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305000952/http://www.tirgan.ca/event/tehran-london-qa |archive-date=2016-03-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

⚫
In 2010, Maher began studying at Tehran University. Two months later she was arrested due to her political activities and for attending the Student Day demonstration. She subsequently left Iran to study filmmaking at Limkokwing University in Malaysia and directed several short films. Her first fictional short film, ''Sweet Gin and Cold Wine'' was nominated for the best short film at the 21st [[Oldenburg International Film Festival]] in Germany <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.filmfest-oldenburg.de/index.php?id=251&no_cache=1&tx_sharpmovies_pi1%5Bdetail%5D=806 |title="Sweet Gin and Cold Wine" by Amin Maher at Oldenburg international film festival |access-date=2016-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701223426/http://www.filmfest-oldenburg.de/index.php?id=251&no_cache=1&tx_sharpmovies_pi1%5Bdetail%5D=806 |archive-date=2016-07-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and won an award of recognition at the Creative Open International Film Festival (IOFF) in 2016.<ref>[http://www.ioffestival.org/awards/ AWARD OF RECOGNITION FOR SWEET GIN AND COLD WINE]</ref>


⚫
In 2010, Maher began studying at Tehran University. Two months later she was arrested due to her political activities and for attending a Student Day demonstration. She subsequently left Iran to study filmmaking at [[Limkokwing University of Creative Technology|Limkokwing University]] in Malaysia and directed several short films. Her first fictional short film, ''Sweet Gin and Cold Wine'', was nominated for the best short film award at the 21st [[Oldenburg International Film Festival]] in Germany<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.filmfest-oldenburg.de/index.php?id=251&no_cache=1&tx_sharpmovies_pi1%5Bdetail%5D=806 |title="Sweet Gin and Cold Wine" by Amin Maher at Oldenburg international film festival |access-date=2016-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701223426/http://www.filmfest-oldenburg.de/index.php?id=251&no_cache=1&tx_sharpmovies_pi1%5Bdetail%5D=806 |archive-date=2016-07-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and won an award of recognition at the Creative Open International Film Festival (IOFF) in 2016.<ref>[http://www.ioffestival.org/awards/ AWARD OF RECOGNITION FOR SWEET GIN AND COLD WINE]</ref>
⚫
In November 2019, Maher finished her documentary film, ''Letter to My Mother'' which stems from her own experience of childhood sexual abuse.<ref>[https://indiexfest.com/2020/07/14/letter-to-my-mother/ Letter to my mother wins the best short Documentary at Indiex Film Fest]</ref> The film opens up a cinematic discourse about anger, repression, violence and identity. ''Letter to My Mother'' was described as a fearless and strong examination that chooses a radically intimate perspective. It is an examination that touches upon the center of the pain and dares to look precisely. It finds exact scenes for despair and cruelty and searches openly for ways of coping.<ref>[https://www.kasselerdokfest.de/en/online-programm/2019-11-15/p-13fe8c98-34ed-4649-9ee1-38ce9c47435d/i-c8a97503-ec71-4306-b176-ede095f06ba2 Letter to my mother at 36th Kassel Documentary Film Festival]</ref>


⚫
In November 2019, Maher finished her documentary film ''Letter to My Mother'', which stems from her own experience of childhood sexual abuse.<ref name=":1" /><ref>[https://indiexfest.com/2020/07/14/letter-to-my-mother/ Letter to my mother wins the best short Documentary at Indiex Film Fest]</ref> The film opens up a cinematic discourse about anger, repression, violence and identity. ''Letter to My Mother'' was described as a fearless and strong examination that chooses a radically intimate perspective. It is an examination that touches upon the center of the pain and dares to look precisely. It finds exact scenes for despair and cruelty and searches openly for ways of coping.<ref name="kasselerdokfest.de"/>
Maher is also a Persian Performer, Speaker, Porn Maker, and Queer Activist. Between 2019 and 2022, she participated in numerous seminars, talks, and panel discussions about sexual violence and liberation, transness and body politics. Notably, her interview with [[Iran International]] was anarchistic, progressive, and moving. It deconstructed the mass media in many ways, including normalizing trans and queer bodies and identities. Her interview was followed by a mass attack on her on social media. Within the same period of time, she got involved in several cases of sexual violence, supporting the cis women survivors. Her activism is about decolonizing the body and gender, encouraging herself and her environment to embrace vulnerability, and reclaiming bodies, care, and pleasure. Maher twists pain into art and joy. Similarly, she finds new questions about love concerning the experiences of abuse as two matters that can't co-exist.


==Artworks==
==Artworks==


=== As an actress/actor ===
=== As actress ===
*''Ten'' (2002, Herself-Protagonist)
*''Ten'' (2002, as herself the protagonist)
*''Repression'' (2004) (Video Art)
*''Repression'' (2004) (video art)
*''Escape'' (2004) (Video Art)
*''Escape'' (2004) (video art)
*''10 + 4'' (2007)
*''10 + 4'' (2007)
*''Sweet Gin and Cold Wine'' (2014)
*''Sweet Gin and Cold Wine'' (2014)
*''Orange'' (2015)
*''Orange'' (2015)
*''Letter to My Mother'' (2019, Herself)
*''Letter to My Mother'' (2019, as herself)<ref name=":1" />
*''Out of Frame'' (Production Year: 2015, completion year: 2021, release year: 2022)
*''Where Is The Friend´s Home?'' (completion year: 2020, release year: 2023, as herself)


=== As a director ===
=== As director ===
*''Sweet Gin and Cold Wine'' (2014)
*''Sweet Gin and Cold Wine'' (2014)
*''Orange'' (2015)
*''Orange'' (2015)
*''Letter to My Mother'' (2019)
*''Letter to My Mother'' (2019)
*''Out of Frame'' (production year: 2015, completion year: 2021, release year: 2022)
*''Where Is The Friend´s Home?'' (completion year: 2020, release year: 2023)


=== As an Editor ===
=== As editor ===
*''Letter to My Mother'' (2019)
*''Letter to My Mother'' (2019)
*''Out of Frame'' (production year: 2015, completion year:2021, release year: 2022)
*''A Moon for my Father'' (2020)
*''Where Is The Friend´s Home?'' (completion year: 2020, release year: 2023)


=== Book ===
=== Book ===
*''Start counting from eleven'' (Poem, 2013)
*''Start counting from eleven'' (poem, 2013)


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1992 births]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Iranian film actresses]]
[[Category:Persian-language film directors]]
[[Category:Persian-language film directors]]
[[Category:Iranian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Iranian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Iranian film directors]]
[[Category:Iranian women film directors]]
[[Category:Iranian film producers]]
[[Category:Iranian women film producers]]
[[Category:Iranian film editors]]
[[Category:Iranian film editors]]
[[Category:People from Tehran]]
[[Category:People from Tehran]]
[[Category:Poets from Tehran]]
[[Category:Poets from Tehran]]
[[Category:LGBT artists from Iran]]
[[Category:Iranian LGBT artists]]
[[Category:Transgender artists]]
[[Category:Iranian LGBTQ actors]]
[[Category:Film editors]]
[[Category:Iranian LGBT screenwriters]]
[[Category:Iranian LGBT poets]]
[[Category:Iranian transgender women]]
[[Category:Transgender women artists]]
[[Category:Transgender women writers]]
[[Category:Transgender actresses]]
[[Category:Transgender screenwriters]]
[[Category:Transgender poets]]
[[Category:Queer actresses]]
[[Category:Queer artists]]
[[Category:Queer screenwriters]]
[[Category:Queer poets]]
[[Category:21st-century Iranian LGBT people]]

Latest revision as of 23:26, 2 September 2024

Amina Maher
امین ماهر
Born
Amin Maher

(1992-03-05) March 5, 1992 (age 32)
Tehran, Iran
EducationUniversity of Tehran, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (BA), Konrad Wolf Film University of Babelsberg (MA)
Occupation(s)Director, filmmaker, actress, writer, film editor
Notable workLetter to My Mother (2019)
MotherMania Akbari

Amina Maher (Persian: امین ماهر, born 1992) is an Iranian-born queer feminist artist, activist, actress, and filmmaker living in Berlin, Germany. Her works are focused on the breakdown of family structure, shame culture, and patriarchal myths. Her creative works criticize traditions, media, culture, and norms. Her cinematic activity began as the main actor in Abbas Kiarostami and Mania Akbari´s Ten (2002) nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival. Since then, she acted, edited and has been in films that have been part of festivals such as Cannes Film Festival, British Film Institute, San Sebastián International Film Festival and International Film Festival Rotterdam.[1]

Her directorial short films have been internationally well received with +200 festival participations and +50 Awards from festivals such as Ann Arbor Film Festival, TLVFest, Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, Expresión en Corto International Film Festival and Shorts México, among many others. Her three short films - Letter to My Mother, Out of Frame and Where Is the Friend´s Home? - have been part of the Internationales Frauen* Film Fest Dortmund+Köln and Museum Ostwall in 2022.

Her creative work explores childhood memories, mental health and self-realization with a mission to amplify trans and queer storylines. Her first directorial debüt feature has been part of Berlin International Film Festival - Dok Station Lab,[2] Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival - CPH:DOX Forum, and FID Lab Marseille Festival of Documentary Film.[3]

Biography

[edit]

Amina Maher was born 1992, in Tehran, Iran. She started writing poems and short stories at a very early age. Her creative work is rooted in exploring interpersonal relationships, childhood memories, mental health and self-realization with a mission to amplify trans and queer storylines. Amina Maher began her cinematic activity as the main actor in Abbas Kiarostami and Mania Akbari's Ten, which recorded ten-year-old Amina sitting in the passenger seat of her mother's car without her knowledge. Maher left her family at the age of fifteen and began to live on her own.[4][5]

Between 2006 and 2012, Maher continued her cinematic activity as an actor, assistant director and editor to her mother, Mania Akbari, on several films, such as 10+4 which premiered at Cannes Acid Section and San Sebastián International Film Festival in 2006, as well as From Tehran to London, premiered in 2013 at International Film Festival Rotterdam. In 2007, she started filming her friends both at school and later at university. She was arrested two days after 2009 Iranian presidential election and had been subjected to serious beatings. The reasons for her arrest were her support to Iranian Green Movement and that she had been identified as an active participant during the presidential campaign.[6]

In 2010, she began her study at University of Tehran. Three months later, she was arrested for the second time due to her political activities and for attending the Student Day demonstration against the dictatorship. This time she spent a week in the notorious Evin prison. Maher subsequently left Iran to Dubai and then to Malaysia.

In 2016, she received her bachelor's degree in filmmaking from Limkokwing University in Malaysia. Her first student short film was Cold Wine (2012), followed by Orange and One Window Will Suffice.

Her multi-award winning short film, Letter to My Mother (2019), was well received internationally with over 200 festival selections and over 50 Awards. For four years in a row, the film has been constantly programmed among numerous arthouse-oriented film festivals. It has been part of Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival forum[7] as well as the competitions at numerous international film festivals, such as 36th Kasseler Dokfest, 38th Feminale - The International Dortmund | Cologne Women's Film Festival,[8] the 15th Shorts México[9] and the 26th Chéries-Chéris (Festival du Film Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans & ++++ de Paris).[10] The film is about her own experiences of childhood sexual abuse.

Among numerous reviews, the film was described as avant-garde, poignant and moving, a means for survival, a way to stand up and to understand – a fearless and strong examination that touches upon the center of the pain and dares to look precisely. Her film navigates the vast yet fragile space between self-exploration and family politics within a sociocultural frame.[11][12]

Letter to My Mother received awards such as the Audience Award and the Special Jury Prize at the 23rd Indie Memphis Film Festival, USA[13] and Special Jury price at the 15th Shorts México[9] and the Beirut International Women Film Festival.

Due to directing controversial films, Maher fled to Germany in 2018. After moving to Berlin in 2019, she started her MA degree study in film directing at Konrad Wolf Film University of Babelsberg.[14]

Maher is also a genderqueer feminist activist. Her activism is about body politics & transgender rights concerning the experiences of marginalization, sexual abuse, sexuality, dictatorship and oppressive systems, decolonizing the body and gender. She encourages herself and her environment to embrace vulnerability and reclaim bodies, care and pleasure.

Letter to My Mother (2019)

[edit]

The film Letter to My Mother (2019) was self-produced, directed, written, performed, and distributed. It has evoked wider social debate, highlighting the need and benefit of sexual assault survivors and communities being able to speak openly about their own experiences of sexual assault and harassment.[15]

Letter to My Mother won numerous awards and nominations and had been part of the program of more than 100 international film festivals in more than 40 countries. 35th Lovers Film Festival - Torino LGBTQI Visions,[14] 34th Mix Milano Film Festival in Italy, the 9th Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival in Spain,[16] and the 27th Blue Sea Film Festival in Finland are some of the festivals in which the film was programmed or was nominated for the main award

Other selections and participations

[edit]

Reviews

[edit]

Essays on the political body at 22nd Belo Horizonte International Film Festival, Brazil: "In Letter to my Mother, Amina Maher conceives a complex montage assembling autobiographical report, epistolary language, archives, and performance. The filmmaker goes through archives of her own therapy sessions and images from the movie, Ten (2002), in which she participated when she was a child, in search of the creation of an autonomous body, one not defined by abuse. One that is free from restraint".[16]

The jury statement at 15th SMHAF: "This is more than just a film. It is an act of courage and radical honesty. It pushes the boundaries in its cinematic discourse on violence, identity, gender, and sexuality; whilst maintaining an unflinching intimacy as the filmmaker shares a long-held secret with her mother and searches for ways of coping and moving forward."

Dutch Culture: "Within the multifarious strands of filmmaking practice, Maher's filmmaking uses trauma therapy as a theme and it is characterized by a few key factors: its an autoethnographic approach, a desire for honest self-examination, and a play with notions of cinema, reality and life. As the direct victim of abuse, she gave an insight into an experience that is impossible to imagine.[17]

#MeToo movement in Iran and Interview with Iran International

[edit]

On 25 August 2019, the Persian TV channel, Iran International interviewed Maher, where she came forward publicly that a family member had raped her over a four years period.[18] With this interview, she had also her coming out as a trans woman in Persian-speaking media, which was followed by a large number of insults, transphobic comments and attacks on social media. Maher's appearance rarely had been seen on mainstream Persian-speaking TV before.

Life and other activities

[edit]

When Maher was a child, her real-life relationship with her mother, Mania Akbari, was featured in the movie Ten. Four years after that, Maher performed the main role in Mania Akbari's 10+4, a continuation of the movie Ten, which followed Akbari's battle with breast cancer.[19] 10+4 screened at Cannes International Film Festival and San Sebastián International Film Festival amongst many other festivals and received critical praise.[20] Afterwards, Maher followed her film activities as an actress, editor and assistant director to her mother on 6 Video Arts[21] and From Tehran to London.[22]

In 2010, Maher began studying at Tehran University. Two months later she was arrested due to her political activities and for attending a Student Day demonstration. She subsequently left Iran to study filmmaking at Limkokwing University in Malaysia and directed several short films. Her first fictional short film, Sweet Gin and Cold Wine, was nominated for the best short film award at the 21st Oldenburg International Film Festival in Germany[23] and won an award of recognition at the Creative Open International Film Festival (IOFF) in 2016.[24]

In November 2019, Maher finished her documentary film Letter to My Mother, which stems from her own experience of childhood sexual abuse.[15][25] The film opens up a cinematic discourse about anger, repression, violence and identity. Letter to My Mother was described as a fearless and strong examination that chooses a radically intimate perspective. It is an examination that touches upon the center of the pain and dares to look precisely. It finds exact scenes for despair and cruelty and searches openly for ways of coping.[11]

Artworks

[edit]

As actress

[edit]
  • Ten (2002, as herself the protagonist)
  • Repression (2004) (video art)
  • Escape (2004) (video art)
  • 10 + 4 (2007)
  • Sweet Gin and Cold Wine (2014)
  • Orange (2015)
  • Letter to My Mother (2019, as herself)[15]
  • Out of Frame (Production Year: 2015, completion year: 2021, release year: 2022)
  • Where Is The Friend´s Home? (completion year: 2020, release year: 2023, as herself)

As director

[edit]
  • Sweet Gin and Cold Wine (2014)
  • Orange (2015)
  • Letter to My Mother (2019)
  • Out of Frame (production year: 2015, completion year: 2021, release year: 2022)
  • Where Is The Friend´s Home? (completion year: 2020, release year: 2023)

As editor

[edit]
  • Letter to My Mother (2019)
  • Out of Frame (production year: 2015, completion year:2021, release year: 2022)
  • Where Is The Friend´s Home? (completion year: 2020, release year: 2023)

Book

[edit]
  • Start counting from eleven (poem, 2013)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "9. Juni: Amina Maher zu Gast in unserer Programmreihe »Art on the MOve« im Dortmunder Museum Ostwall". 31 May 2022.
  2. ^ https://www.berlinale-talents.de/bt/project/profile/291928 [bare URL]
  3. ^ "Cristi Puiu feature among Marseille's FIDLab 2022 projects".
  4. ^ Martin, Rebecca (28 February 2021). "Amina Maher's "Letter to My Mother" is a courageous and unflinching self-portrait". Cinema Femme. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Letter to my mother". Cinematic Perception. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Amin Maher, Actor in Abbas Kiarostami's "Ten" and Son of Mania Akbari Arrested". 23 June 2009.
  7. ^ "CPH:DOX industry wrap: Greta Thunberg doc stirs interest at pitching forum".
  8. ^ "A Letter to My Mother".
  9. ^ a b http://shortsmexico.com/ganadores-2020/ Special Jury Prize for the film Letter to my mother
  10. ^ "Compétition Courts Métrages Queer – Mada".
  11. ^ a b Letter to my mother at 36th Kassel Documentary Film Festival
  12. ^ "Letter to My Mother - Amina Maher".
  13. ^ "2020 Awards".
  14. ^ a b https://www.loversff.com/it/scheda-film/174/ Letter to my mother at the 35th Lovers Film Festival
  15. ^ a b c Yaghoobi, Claudia (2023-08-24). The #MeToo Movement in Iran: Reporting Sexual Violence and Harassment. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 154–155. ISBN 978-0-7556-4726-2.
  16. ^ a b http://www.festivaldecurtasbh.com.br/en/ensaios-e-entrevista/texto-corpo-politico/ [dead link]
  17. ^ "Film director Amina Maher: "Art is the best alternative to revenge" | DutchCulture | Centre for international cooperation". 3 December 2020.
  18. ^ Groen, Marne (3 December 2020). "Film director Amina Maher: "Art is the best alternative to revenge"". dutchculture.nl. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  19. ^ "Movie 10+4". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  20. ^ "10+4 in Cannes international film festival, L'ACID section". Archived from the original on 2017-08-20. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  21. ^ 6 Video Arts, 2007
  22. ^ "Amin Maher, Assistant director of "From Tehran to London"". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  23. ^ ""Sweet Gin and Cold Wine" by Amin Maher at Oldenburg international film festival". Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  24. ^ AWARD OF RECOGNITION FOR SWEET GIN AND COLD WINE
  25. ^ Letter to my mother wins the best short Documentary at Indiex Film Fest
[edit]
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