Fremont - 11th Spektrum Film Festival

Director: Babak Jalali
Script: Babak Jalali, Carolina Cavalli
Cinematography: Laura Valladao
Editing: Babak Jalali
Producers: Marjaneh Moghimi, Sudnya Shroff, Rachael Fung, Laura Wagner, Chris Martin, George Rush
Cast: Anaita Wali Zada, Hilda Schmelling, Avis See-tho, Siddique Ahmed, Taban Ibraz, Timur Nusratty, Eddie Tang

USA 2023
88′

polish and english subtitles

Beautiful and troubled 20-something Donya, an Afghan translator who used to work with the U.S. government, has trouble sleeping. She lives by herself in Fremont in a building with other Afghan immigrants and often dines alone at a local restaurant watching soap operas. Her routine changes when she’s promoted to writing the fortunes at her job at a fortune cookie factory in the city. As her fortunes are read by strangers throughout the Bay, Donya’s smoldering longing drives her to send a message out to the world, unsure where it will lead.

Fremont ultimately asserts that life is messy, random, and bound to hurt, but it also reminds us that we gain nothing from standing by and letting it pass.

Jericho Tadeo, MovieWeb

Fresh score. In many ways Fremont is advocating the importance of accepting that a life can be both average and fulfilling.

Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film

Fremont concludes with warmth and optimism, infusing independent cinema with a breath of fresh air and a generous heart.

Filipe Freitas, Always Good Movies

Fremont is a charming, thoughtful, funny and moving comment on a very contemporary issue, shot in beautiful black and white.

Alexa Dalby, Dog and Wolf