Mohammad Gorjestani

Made in Iowa

Mohammad Gorjestani

In 2011, Webster City, Iowa, experienced a massive economic shift after the town's large appliance manufacturing plant shut down. This left many jobless and impacted local business, including the closing of the town's beloved, historic movie theater. But the community refused to let their town die-and "Made in Iowa" tells the story of how small business helped Webster City save itself.

Lakota in America

Mohammad Gorjestani

Genevieve Iron Lightning

Genevieve Iron Lightning is a young Lakota dancer on the Cheyenne River Reservation, one of the poorest communities in the US. Unemployment, addiction, alcoholism, and suicide are all challenges for Lakota on the reservation.

Exit 12

Mohammad Gorjestani

Roman Baca

After two tours in Fallujah in the Iraq War, US Marine Roman Baca came home a different person. His experience ravaged him with depression, anxiety, and anger issues. With the encouragement of his wife, Lisa, Roman decided to return to ballet as way to cope. He found that dance helped him “reprogram” his mind and body. Now, as the founder and artistic director of the Exit12 Dance Company in New York City, Roman with other veterans and military families, uses dance to tell stories about the effects of war. Through movement and creative expression, they work to not only reprogram and reclaim themselves, but also change the perceptions and stereotypes of the Veteran community.

Sister Hearts

Mohammad Gorjestani

Maryam Henderson-Uloho spent thirteen years in prison in Louisiana, seven in solitary confinement. After her release she struggled to find housing or employment. She began selling secondhand goods out of a suitcase on a street corner in New Orleans. In just three years, she grew her business to a brick-and-mortar thrift store—one that also provides housing and employment for other formerly-incarcerated women. She calls those women—and her store—Sister Hearts.

Missme: The Artful Vandal

Mohammad Gorjestani

MissMe

A short profile doc on street artist MissMe—a sort of Banksy-esque underground figure with a feminist bent. While the short portrait documentary field is certainly overcrowded, director Mohammad Gorjestani’s film is beautifully shot and quickly paced. It’s got a certain energy that can’t be denied (much like artwork driving the film). Plus, the central character is an inspiring symbol of artistic authenticity and self-liberation. A former advertising executive, MissMe ditched her high-profile corporate day job to become a counter-voice to the objectification of women in the mainstream advertising world. Girl power, indeed.

America, As In Us.

Andrew Batista, Mohammad Gorjestani

Five vignettes across America revealing the resilience of the immigrant fabric of our country amidst the Trump administration's current and proposed policies.

Refuge

Mohammad Gorjestani

Set in 2020, a brewing cyberwar between the US and Iran puts Sonia, a young Iranian refugee, at risk of deportation. Her only escape may come at a greater price than she's willing to pay.