‘Shayda’ Review – Noora Niasari’s Captivating Mosaic Of Resilience And Hope

In Noora Niasari’s inaugural venture into feature filmmaking with Shayda, we embark on a profound and deeply personal odyssey through the intricate landscape of the Iranian immigrant experience. Chosen to represent Australia in the esteemed Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards, this cinematic creation resembles a captivating mosaic of haunting beauty and emotional resonance. Niasari’s narrative craftsmanship unfolds a story akin to a turbulent sea, navigating the treacherous waters of domestic strife, courage, and the ever-burning ember of hope. With deft artistry, the film avoids the well-trodden paths of cinematic tradition, much like a traveler charting a new course. It enchants with its portrayal of human resilience, painting a vivid canvas of unyielding determination in the pursuit of freedom. In the world of cinema, Shayda stands as a captivating and thought-provoking lighthouse guiding us through the depths of human experience.

Drawing from her own childhood recollections as a witness to her mother’s abuse, Niasari chooses a different path, one that reveals the improbable strength woven into the fabric of abuse victims as they embark on the arduous journey to rebuild their lives. Rather than painting a picture of perpetual suffering, she skillfully conveys the remarkable spectrum of what it means to cling to life despite the relentless trauma of existence. Within the film’s portrayal of the harrowing triad of emotional, verbal, and physical abuse, we find ourselves marveling at the unwavering resolve of its characters. They are akin to climbers ascending an impossibly steep mountain, refusing to yield, defying the allure of surrender, and demonstrating the indomitable spirit that inspires us to endure when surrendering would be the simplest path.

In the evocative landscape of 1995, we witness a transformative chapter in Shayda’s life. She, alongside her husband Hossein (Osamah Sami), embarks on an academic journey to Australia, seeking knowledge and growth far from their Iranian roots. However, a dark shadow soon engulfs their existence as Hossein descends into a nightmarish abyss of abuse. Amidst the weight of societal expectations rooted in Middle Eastern cultural norms, Shayda’s spirit is pushed to its limits. With unwavering determination, she escapes the suffocating marriage, accompanied by her daughter, Mona. Together, they seek refuge in an Australian women’s shelter, a world away from their Iranian homeland. Here, the arduous process of healing begins, and they painstakingly mend the fragments of their shattered existence, rising from the abyss of a devastating four-year epoch.

Life, however, is seldom straightforward, especially for those who have endured the horrors of abuse. The narrative takes a disquieting turn as Hossein, granted unsupervised visitation rights, reenters their lives, heralding a chilling resurgence of harassment, cruelty, and ominous threats. The battle for survival and emancipation persists as Shayda and Mona confront the relentless specters of their past, akin to a tempestuous force that steadfastly defies quelling.

Within the realm of Shayda, where the titular character, brought to life with remarkable finesse by Zar Amir Ebrahimi, takes center stage, it is the character of Mona, portrayed by Selina Zahednia, who emerges as a luminous constellation in both narrative depth and performance prowess. Mona serves as the embodiment of filmmaker Noora Niasari’s own childhood, a vulnerable yet resilient soul navigating the intricate labyrinths of adult complexities, a task that proves far from child’s play.

Zahednia’s portrayal unfolds as a symphony of emotions, evoking a profound and poignant note. As a tender child grappling with profound and bewildering truths, she confronts a world where her mother’s constant agony and unyielding fear cast dark shadows across her innocent existence. Furthermore, she contends with the emotional manipulation of a father who adorns a deceptive mask, a ruse intended to bewilder and beguile the tender heart of a child. Within Zahednia’s performance, we are entranced by her captivating portrayal, where every glance, each subtle shift in body language, and the eloquence of her voice orchestrate a symphony of vulnerability.

We witness the heart-wrenching realization, even at the tender age of four, that the world is not the sanctuary one dreams it to be. It is a world where a father’s affection is veiled in ambiguity, and the very essence of her existence teeters on the precipice of trauma, where fear becomes an unwelcome guest, seated at the daily dinner table, lurking within the shadowed corners of night, and manifesting in the unsettling specter of weekly visitation trips. Selina Zahednia’s performance, like a poignant sonnet, resonates with the profound depths of a child’s awakening to a world both beautiful and haunting, where innocence finds itself at the crossroads of fragility and resilience.

In Shayda, the delicate dance of light and shadow unfolds with exquisite precision. The film masterfully weaves bone-chilling sequences, wherein Hossein’s haunting presence permeates Shayda’s psyche and reality alike. Like an inexorable specter, he relentlessly pursues her, driven by a possessive fervor, reminiscent of one seeking to reclaim a lost possession. Yet, amid this harrowing pursuit, there are moments of resplendent grace. In these interludes, we witness Shayda and Mona in a graceful choreography, a dance of souls yearning to transcend the pain of their past and momentarily savor the sweet release of the present. The film’s artistry lies in this poignant juxtaposition, a mosaic where the haunting specters of abuse converge with the ephemeral joys of emancipation.

In the closing frames, Noora Niasari gracefully beckons us to share in her cherished memories. With the aid of archival footage dating back to 1995, we are privileged to witness the genuine radiance of her mother’s smile, a poignant celebration of life’s indomitable spirit. Within those fleeting moments, she bestows upon her daughter the profound gift of dance, a vibrant reminder that, even in the bleakest of circumstances, life relentlessly forges its path. In Shayda, Niasari weaves a lyrical testament to the enduring resilience of the human spirit, composing an evocative symphony where pain and healing harmoniously converge. In the end, it resounds with the eternal truth: “Life, against all odds, persists,” like a beautiful ode to the indomitable human spirit.

Shayda will debut in theaters for one week in New York and Los Angeles beginning December 1, 2023, courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics to qualify for the Academy Awards. The film will begin its national rollout in early 2024. 

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