Beautiful and troubled 20-something Donya, an Afghan translator who used to work with the U.S. government, has trouble sleeping. She lives by herself in Fremont, California, in a building with other Afghan immigrants and often dines alone at a local restaurant watching soap operas. Her routine changes when she’s promoted to writing the fortunes at her job at a fortune cookie factory in the city. As her fortunes are read by strangers throughout the Bay, Donya’s smoldering longing drives her to send a message out to the world, unsure where it will lead.
Shot in black and white, and with warmth and a wry sense of humor, director Babak Jalali has crafted a loving portrait of a young woman haunted by the past but still filled with desire for companionship and connection. Featuring a cast of unforgettable, unique characters, and anchored by a beguiling debut performance from real-life Afghan refugee Anaita Wali Zada, Fremont is an ode to the curious beauty of trying to build a new life in a strange land.
Available in person and online.
- Year2022
- Runtime91 minutes
- LanguageEnglish, Dari, Cantonese
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorBabak Jalali
- ScreenwriterCarolina Cavalli,Babak Jalali
- ProducerMarjaneh Moghimi,Sudnya Shroff,Rachael Fung,George Rush,Chris Martin,Laura Wagner
- Executive ProducerLata Krishnan,Neda Nobari,Nickhil Jakatdar,Akash Nigam
- CinematographerLaura Valladao
- Production DesignRob Riutta
- ComposerMahmood Schricker
Beautiful and troubled 20-something Donya, an Afghan translator who used to work with the U.S. government, has trouble sleeping. She lives by herself in Fremont, California, in a building with other Afghan immigrants and often dines alone at a local restaurant watching soap operas. Her routine changes when she’s promoted to writing the fortunes at her job at a fortune cookie factory in the city. As her fortunes are read by strangers throughout the Bay, Donya’s smoldering longing drives her to send a message out to the world, unsure where it will lead.
Shot in black and white, and with warmth and a wry sense of humor, director Babak Jalali has crafted a loving portrait of a young woman haunted by the past but still filled with desire for companionship and connection. Featuring a cast of unforgettable, unique characters, and anchored by a beguiling debut performance from real-life Afghan refugee Anaita Wali Zada, Fremont is an ode to the curious beauty of trying to build a new life in a strange land.
Available in person and online.
- Year2022
- Runtime91 minutes
- LanguageEnglish, Dari, Cantonese
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorBabak Jalali
- ScreenwriterCarolina Cavalli,Babak Jalali
- ProducerMarjaneh Moghimi,Sudnya Shroff,Rachael Fung,George Rush,Chris Martin,Laura Wagner
- Executive ProducerLata Krishnan,Neda Nobari,Nickhil Jakatdar,Akash Nigam
- CinematographerLaura Valladao
- Production DesignRob Riutta
- ComposerMahmood Schricker