When filmmaker Essy Niknejad read the story of a femme race car driver who beat the odds to win the Iranian National Championship in 2006, he figured it had drama written all over it. Dubbed “Little Schumacher,” after Formula One legend Michael Shumacher, Laleh Seddigh had to fight her family and her nation’s male-dominated theocracy to realize her dreams.
“We know that racing is a white boys’ club, no matter what society we are talking about,” Niknejad says. “Plus in Iran, which is dominated by men, it must be fascinating for a woman to get to this level.”
What he didn’t realize is the many obstacles — including harsh weather, hostile locals and diminishing funds — that would make the completion of his film come to resemble the longshot that was Seddigh’s accomplishment. Through it all, Niknejad has remained undeterred.
Getting the rights to Seddigh’s story wasn’t as...
“We know that racing is a white boys’ club, no matter what society we are talking about,” Niknejad says. “Plus in Iran, which is dominated by men, it must be fascinating for a woman to get to this level.”
What he didn’t realize is the many obstacles — including harsh weather, hostile locals and diminishing funds — that would make the completion of his film come to resemble the longshot that was Seddigh’s accomplishment. Through it all, Niknejad has remained undeterred.
Getting the rights to Seddigh’s story wasn’t as...
- 4/11/2014
- by Shalini Dore
- Variety - Film News
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