The Patient Woman

The Patient Woman is an Iranian immigrant woman’s story of becoming, as she navigates traditional gender roles, socio-political polarizations, and the US-Iran conflict. Sabereh overcame being the youngest and downtrodden daughter in her family through inspirations by American books and movies. Years later, an ambivalent romance evokes memories of her journeys during 2010-2015 when she struggled to reconcile with her widowed father in Tehran, and make a “home” within her diverse cooperative household in Oakland.

Iranian-American filmmaker Sabereh Kashi’s life has always been intertwined with conflict. From her early years passing through the 1979 Islamic revolution and 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, to her immigration into post 911 America when the tensions between United States and Iran were at an all time high. Sabereh was the co-writer and co-editor of the PBS documentary Our Summer in Tehran (2010) directed by Oscar nominated Justine Shapiro that brought an intimate outlook into Iranian family life to Americans. The Patient Woman dives deep into her own personal journey as an immigrant woman as she tries to resolve conflict in a romantic relationship which opens up parental complexes, ancestral shadows, and cultural myths. As she heals her relationships with her father and homeland, and the multicultural community in the San Francisco Bay Area, she finally finds something close to the loving ‘home’ that had eluded her.

This feature length documentary is in post-production. Estimated completion date is 2024-2025. Please consider supporting this important film. Patrons with donations above $250 will get an invitation to a rough cut screening and Q&A.

Directed by Sabereh Kashi.