What’s remarkable about ignorance is the fact that it’s voluntary. We could bask in it or address it. However, when a story like this presents itself such as “Cast Aside the Clouds” it’s a tragedy we haven’t given it more awareness.
Under the introduction of a love story and directed by Mary Darling, directed by Bre Vader and Felicia Sobhani that roots into something deeper: a harrowing warning that the story could happen to anyone. Starring Parmiss Sehat as Layla Khosravi who is a devoted woman of the Bahá’i faith and her love interest Dr. Sasan Naderi, portrayed by Behtash Fazlali. Their love story starts off due to an incident that opens in the beginning of the film that Layla is injured due to a brick being thrown through the bookstore window when she’s on a ladder and suffers a fall. This leads to her being admitted into the hospital where Sasan works, and our tale begins. However, why was a brick thrown through the bookstore? There’s a looming thread that shadows the film until it’s ready to unveil itself – the persecution of those in the Bahá’i faith.
With political unrest, persecutions of faith and the stripping away of the simplifies we have access to like education, literature and speech does this overshadow the film? No. Rather we have a love story that intertwines and blossoms out the realities of our current world. I had the privilege to attend the U.S. Premiere for “Cast Aside the Clouds” and during the Q&A portion there was a note from our lead actress, Parmiss Sehat that has still stuck with me. Her character portrayal of Layla isn’t one of heroism, rather it’s a cautionary tale and warning that this can be you. This story shouldn’t be classified as heroism rather its warning that this can be happening to someone we know, or it could be to you. As Layla did in the film, we all have the privilege of falling in love, but when persecuted for your faith can that destroy it all? Layla was deprived of pursing higher education due to her Bahá’i faith; she faced prejudice for faith and the question of just rather being a Christian or a Muslim could simply just rectify this issue. However, she is a woman who not only determined, but willing to allow her faith to be the core of her humanity.
In the film we see a wide range of events that occur from familial persecution, imprisonment, threats of execution, denial of education or even legal rights such as obtaining a lawyer. There’s no discrimination when it comes to the persecution of those in the Bahá’i faith regardless of gender, age or social status. Rather it’s the fact that in Iran this persecution of faith is pushed to be eradicated.
However, how does this tie into Layla and Sasan’s love story? Well, Sasan being of a Muslim household fall in love with Layla and that is poorly looked upon. Behtash’s portrayal of Sasan though represents the best one can hope for: compassion. He shows compassion, empathy and goes through his own arc of growth in learning how to forgive, appreciate his hometown roots and exercise patience with his family. His sister Mina, portrayed by Panta Mosleh is an activist in the film that is willing to show kindness to Layla and her family, but also is torn at tradition when her uncle portrayed by Djavad Djavahery, who is deeply traditional and wants nothing of Layla’s presence. Additionally, Cybele Hay who portrays Sasan’s other also goes through her own arc of growth and acceptance in Sasan’s relationship with Layla.
Layla’s parents, Vida Khosravi portrayed by Shirin Youssefian Maanian and Farhad Khosravi portrayed by Anthony Azizi also serve as anchors in Layla’s emotional arc and foundations to the woman she is. Lastly, Vassilis Koukalani who portrays Mr. Ahmadi serves as an integral part in the story as a professor who provides a source of underground education for Layla, but at a cost we see enfold throughout the story.
Without giving too much away, “Cast Aside the Clouds” is a beautifully made film that is crafted as much as a love letter to a warning to all who watch. You shouldn’t ignore what’s around you but enable your curiosity. Liberties such as having the ability to study is something that one isn’t conscious of until they’re deprived of it. I do hope you catch it on the east coast at Cinema Village from May 29th to June 4th! I’ll have my interview with director Mary Darling posted up on May 29th. Please stay tuned and watch this film – you’ll be moved, angered and emotional by the end of it.
I give my first thoughts here on my season finale about “Cast Aside the Clouds”!
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