Somayeh’s “Poetic, Intimate and Often Surreal” Filmmaking
Influenced by her Iranian roots, as well as her surroundings in the UK, Soup.Film director Somayeh has now joined the Berlin team’s roster. Combining the rich cultural heritage of Iran and with a commitment to breaking traditional barriers, her interest in the visual arts has transpired into her career.
Inspired by the likes of Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi and Majid Majid, she begins her creative process by finding the emotional core of the story and building up from there. Often blurring the lines between fiction and reality, she mixes poetic and raw storytelling to create a narrative which often feels surreal in its composition. By editing her own work, she’s also begun to experiment with sound and its impact on the audience, blending her unique storytelling with cinematic influences from the West.
To hear more about her inspiration, what she wants to achieve from her filmmaking and commercial work, as well as how she got into the industry, Somayeh speaks to LBB’s Nisna Mahtani.
LBB> How did you first learn about filmmaking? Were there any movies, TV shows or ads which inspired you at a young age?
Somayeh> I was born in Iran but moved to England at the age of five. Whilst growing up, I vividly remember watching Iranian films with my parents, from the likes of Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi and Majid Majid but it was as a teenager that I began writing poetry and short stories. Whilst studying for my A Level exams, I caught chicken pox and didn’t make it into my English literature BA, so on an impulse I chose media arts and got through clearing; that was a divine intervention to propel me into the start of my filmmaking journey.
LBB> Following this, how did you begin to hone your craft? Did you study the subject, just start creating or was it something else entirely?
Somayeh> I studied a BA in media arts at Royal Holloway (University of London), involving both theory and practice, with a variety of modules including directing, script writing, world cinema and contemporary arts. I went on to study for an MA in documentary by practice, graduating in 2011. After graduating, I moved to London and began working as a video editor, all the while writing, directing and producing short films. It took many years of experimenting and working across a variety of roles for my voice to emerge and for me to discover my path as a director and hone that craft.
LBB> How do you approach a project? What is the first thing you consider and what gets you most excited to start shooting?
Somayeh> When approaching a project, I start with the emotional core of the story. Understanding the essence of the narrative allows me to shape the visual elements effectively. I like to think conceptually: how can I illustrate this emotion in a metaphorical or symbolic way? Sound design plays a crucial role in my work, as it contributes to the emotional resonance of the piece. What really excites me the most is being able to create a cinematic language that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, weaving a unique tapestry of storytelling.
LBB> Is there a particular genre or style of filmmaking which you enjoy the most? How does that play into your work?
Somayeh> I find myself drawn to a mix of poetic and raw storytelling. This blend allows me to delve into intimate and surreal narratives, often intertwining with my personal heritage and self-identity. The combination of these elements creates a distinctive style that permeates my work.
LBB> What is the most formative piece you’ve shot so far? Can you tell us a little bit about the process?
Somayeh> Commercially speaking, I would say my Audi E-tron (spec) commercial has been my most formative piece. I wanted to create an opportunity for myself to write, direct and edit a car commercial as a way to creatively challenge and push myself, but also to prove my ability within the industry; this is what I can do for £5k in four days, imagine what I could do with an agency brief, a team and money!
LBB> What are some of the challenges you’ve faced during the creation process and how do you tackle these?
Somayeh> Commercials and narrative projects have different obstacles to tackle, but I feel it’s mostly boiled down to time and money restraints and how creative ideas may be compromised. Being agile in your thinking and focusing on solutions I feel is the key to retaining our visions as much as possible.
LBB> In terms of new technology and implementing this within your work, what are some of the resources you’ve been using recently?
Somayeh> I was initially somewhat hesitant to use ChatGPT but have begun to see the value of being an initiation tool. I have recently started to use it in very small amounts as I feel it can be a good starting point. It gives you a little push for moments when you may be facing difficulty in initiating writing.
LBB> How would you describe your style of filmmaking? How did it get to this point and where do you hope to elevate it to in the future?
Somayeh> My filmmaking style is heavily rooted in a poetic, intimate and often surreal language on-screen, blending my personal history with emotive narratives. I often edit my work and this allows me to experiment with sound as sound design is a tool I heavily place importance on bringing stories to life.
Over time my voice has begun to emerge as an Iranian filmmaker and I’ve been able to infuse the poetry from my Iranian heritage with more stylised cinematic influences from the West. My hope as a narrative filmmaker is to fully evolve into becoming a bridge between these two worlds that have shaped me as a person and artist, creating films that seamlessly infuse differing styles.
Commercially, I would like to continue to elevate the work I do, pushing myself to experiment and find a space for my voice to be present through a client's brief.
LBB> Is there a piece of work which you’ve seen recently that has particularly inspired you?
Somayeh> Narratively speaking I’m a fan of Yorgos Lanthimos and Joachim Trier who both have a great interplay between realism and surrealism. ‘Past Lives’ was also a film I deeply connected with, in its poetic and nuanced nature which is something I aspire to achieve within my work. Commercially, I’ve always appreciated Hermès and the work they produce, it’s always so breathtakingly beautiful, conceptual, and creatively refined.
LBB> Aside from that, how do you spend your free time? Are there any hobbies and interests which you indulge in?
Somayeh> I exercise a fair amount and make sure I tap into the art and culture taking place in London as much as I can. I organise a monthly book and film club with my friends and love to travel as much as I can!
