Rouzbeh Rashidi Instagram – I’m thrilled to announce the completion of my latest feature film, Elpis. Thanks to the generous support of the Arts Council of Ireland, this passion project has come to life after more than three dedicated years. As the founder of the Experimental Film Society, I’ve utilized the experimental filmmaking strategies I’ve honed over two decades to bring Elpis to the screen. This film wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible contributions of my dream team, including Elika Ostrov, Claudia Basrawi, and Jason O’Rourke. I’ll be forever grateful to them. Elpis represents a departure from my previous work in feature filmmaking, exploring new dimensions of art and humanity that have always captivated me. It’s been a challenging and demanding journey, but the result is a film that enters the second phase of my filmmaking practice, delving into the potential of slow cinema, poetic documentary approaches, and film essays. I’ve also incorporated language, text, and poetic screenplays in a way that I’ve never done before, and the discovery process has been truly fascinating. Visually, Elpis breaks new ground with innovative cinematography, optical approaches, colour grading, and sound design. We filmed in the depths of nature in the Baltic countries, including Latvia and Estonia, with additional scenes shot in Ireland and Germany. Just like a lone Pictorialism photographer, I’ve realized my dream of creating cinema as a solitary artist. Elpis is a poetic essay film that explores the effects of the Iran-Iraq War and its lasting trauma and psychological impact. Through the voice of a woman writing a book, we delve into themes of war, diaspora, immigration, love, and alienation, using sensory and experiential techniques. In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be sharing exciting news about upcoming screenings, reviews, articles, and behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film. Stay tuned for updates, and join me on this intimate and vulnerable cinematic journey. Onwards! @artscouncilireland @experimentalfilmsociety @ostrovelika @claudiabasrawi @jasonoruairc