Faraz Shariat Joins COMPULSORY for UK Representation

COMPULSORY has signed Berlin based German-Iranian director Faraz Shariat to its UK roster for film, music and commercials. Often blurring the lines between documentary and fiction in his personal work, Faraz is keen to tell stories through a unique perspective, indulging in pop aesthetics and heightened sense of reality. Their first film together for Selfridges launched on the retail brand’s website today and features middle-eastern talent such as Halima Aden and Selfridges luxury brands; Gucci, Hublot, Chloe and more.

Speaking of directing ‘Story Makers’ for Selfridges, Faraz says: “As a second generation Irani-German millennial, I was always surrounded by western pop culture and postmodern beliefs as well as the structural stigmatisation of middle eastern perspectives and bodies. That and the changing political climate within my home in Europe have very dominantly shaped my directorial practice in general and the work on the Selfridges commercial specifically. In the midst of the intersections of art, fashion and culture we luckily already started to embrace plurality and push towards an urban zeitgeist that redefines our global identity. This film tries to unleash relevant and progressive voices from our hybrid cultures, who day by day nourish the power of diversity. I feel that now more than ever it’s important to oppose western narratives of fear and terror with empowering images of middle eastern creativity and I thank Selfridges for inviting us to do so.”

Most recently Faraz completed his debut feature ‘No Hard Feelings’ which follows Parvis, the son of exiled Iranians as he experiences his intense first love. It’s a story about re-discovering one’s past and building a future together in a country defined by immigration.

Watch more of Faraz's work here.