Looking for Chauka

Abstract

Arash Kamali Sarvestani codirected and produced Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time (2017) while residing in the Netherlands and communicating with his codirector Behrouz Boochani through WhatsApp application. In this paper, Kamali Sarvestani explains his own journey as an artist living in diaspora and provides exclusive insight into the collaboration and consultation process with his exiled and incarcerated colleague. He details the influence of Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, the guidance he gave Boochani (who had never directed a film until then), how the project transformed from its initial phases through to its distribution and reception, and the ongoing obstacles both directors face.

Keywords

• behrouz boochani
• whatsapp
• refugee filmmaking
• border politics
• manus island