Inspired by hours of in-depth interviews by Humans of New York creator, Brandon Stanton, and directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker, Nicholas Mihm.
'Bubjan' chronicles the journey of Parwiz Zafari, a former member of the Iranian parliament who dedicated his life to cultivating a progressive, modern, and free society in Iran. However, the rise of the Islamic Republic eclipsed those aspirations, and forced him to leave behind everything he knew.
During the production of 'Bubjan', on September 16, 2022, the world lost Jina “Mahsa” Amini. Arrested by Iran's morality police for what they deemed "improper" hijab attire, she endured severe beatings and tragically passed away while in police custody. Parwiz Zafari’s words, shared in these interviews, echo profoundly his yearning for Iranians to unite and liberate their nation.
Parwiz has held on to the belief that Iran will one day become a free country, and he holds hope that a new generation will carry the torch towards a brighter future for his homeland.
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Elyse Kelly is an award-winning director and producer based in the U.S. with a passion for human-centered stories. With a background in both animation and traditional documentary filmmaking, Kelly approaches her work through a unique lens combining bold, unapologetic animated visuals with mindful nonfiction storytelling.
Kelly's work has won awards and been exhibited in festivals worldwide, including Sundance, Tribeca, Annecy, Zagreb, and OIAF. She's also directed award-winning campaigns and content for clients such as Netflix, the ACLU, The Atlantic, Sesame Workshop, Sony Music, the United Nations Foundation, and Meow Wolf.
Kelly is the creative force behind Neon Zoo, an independent film studio with a passion for giving a platform and voice to the untold, unexpected, and sometimes taboo stories.
An award-winning film studio known for stories that spark conversation, shift perspectives, and leave a lasting impact. Founded by director & producer Elyse Kelly.
