Namak Magazine - Unveiled

Exclusive Web Content! Go to Issue 02.01 Overview

DVD Unveiled
Unveiled, the story of an Iranian lesbian disguising herself as a man to hide with political refugees, will be released on DVD April 18. Read our exclusive Q&A with Star Jasmine Tabatabai...

1. Was there something specific in the script (such as a theme or a scene) that caught your attention and prompted your participation in the film?
I think it was being allowed to play an Iranian girl for the first time in my career, with scenes in Farsi - that really made me want to do the movie. And of course playing someone who has to pretend being a man - moving like a guy, talking like a guy - is an actress' dream. There are not many positive identification roles for Iranians in Western movies nowadays. Iranians generally are shown as terrorists or fanatics. It was very important for me to show a different kind of Iranian.

2. To what extent do you think Fariba's journey is similar to or different from the majority of Iranians generally (not necessarily gay Iranians)?
I think every Iranian loves his country very much and every exiled Iranian that I know always carries a certain sadness within himself for being disconnected from his country.

3. What does the English title "Unveiled" mean to you in relation to your personal experience as an Iranian and in regards to the film?
I like the English title, cause it stands for Fariba's desire to be free. I think this the main reason why she chooses to leave her country.

4. To what extent were you involved in writing/rewriting/editing the script?
I got attached to the project two years before shooting and advised the writers a lot on the Iranian theme. I also helped with the translations. We did tons of rehearsals and improvised many scenes, a lot of which was built into the script.

5. What has been the Iranian community's reaction to the film as a whole, and to the lesbian theme specifically? Has this been similar to or different from the German response?
Up until now I have only received positive reactions from Iranians to the movie. They are very happy to see and hear a sympathetic Iranian on screen in Germany. Same goes for German audiences. Mostly they are very moved by the story. However I'm sure that there are people who have a problem with the theme, as homosexuality is one of the remaining big taboos in Iran. Mostly it is simply not talked about.

6. Do you think having made this film will keep you from being able to return to Iran? Has it caused any trouble for family members you still have there? Were these considerations in deciding whether or not to accept the role?
Not that I know of.