Title: Ayaneh
MPAA Rating: Short film
Director: Nicolas Greinacher
Starring: Afsaneh Dehrouyeh, Mo Ahmadi, Ladina Von Frisching
Runtime: 14 min

What It Is: A young Muslim Afghani refugee living in Switzerland meets a girl at a public swimming pool and instantly feels attracted to her. -from IMDB with one alteration.

What We Think: The IMDB description was a wonderful summation that left out a valuable part of the film’s points, that the character was Muslim. I note this not to call out solely the Muslim religions anti-LGBTQ stance, as this is a fight that transcends across most major religions, but because of the scarcity in which we see it addressed in film.

Ayaneh (Afsaneh Dehrouyeh) not only rebels against the subjugation of patriarchal definitions within her religion but its translation within her family. She seeks to define herself outside of this scope, and in doing so discovers a strength that seemingly leaves her with no choice but to sever her ties.

In it’s 14 minutes it manages to bring insight to an often misunderstood and miscategorized religion, while still allowing the viewers to see the heavyweight it bears on its changing youth. Ayaneh’s internalized struggle between who is is expected to be and who she discovers she actually brings us Into a moment one wishes were longer, more detailed, and possibly, a full-length movie.

Our Grade: B, The film drew me in immediately, the impact of what I was watching and its meaning translating to a breathtaking 14 minutes. I must admit I didn’t know it was short when I began watching as I make it a point not to read movie descriptors prior to previewing, in an effort to consume the film organically. Without prior knowledge that it was a short led me to be thoroughly disappointed when it suddenly ended at 14 minutes. The storyline may seem controversial but I argue that it is needed, therefore wanted, in a time when the film is left as one of the last artistic avenues to question and rebel.

Here’s hoping Cognito films deems it worthy of longer screen time, just a suggestion from your melanin gifted film critic.