Today we’d like to introduce you to Armin Nasseri.
Hi Armin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a first-generation Iranian-American. I was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I was introduced to the arts at a very young age. My father was always painting landscapes and portraits in our household. I caught the bug and started painting and drawing pictures in my free time. As an ’80s baby and a ’90s child, I was consuming many commercial movies, television shows, and music videos. My cousin and I would always reenact scenes from popular movies at each other’s living room or backyard.
At the age of ten, my parents took me to my first arthouse film, where we watched The White Balloon, directed by Jafar Panahi. I was in a movie theater surrounded by several members of the Iranian community as we watched a film that was not only a compelling story told through the eyes of a child but a representation of my Iranian heritage as well as a reflection of my family’s native country.
When I was 18 years of age, my parents and I were at a social gathering with our friends from the Persian community. My childhood friend was there, and he brought over a copy of a short film that he acted in. The short film that he screened was titled Backgammon, directed by Ramin Bahrani. This was early in Ramin Bahrani’s career before he went on to direct Chop Shop, 99 Homes, and The White Tiger. His short film resonated with me. It was the first time I ever watched a Westernized, multi-generational Iranian family on a television screen. I was inspired to see a person, who looks and sounds like me, capture a visual story in our hometown that brought generational conflicts and cultural identity to the forefront. The night I left the party, I was excited, motivated and found my calling.
I began my career in Wilmington, North Carolina before moving to Los Angeles. I went to acting school and then I enrolled at Los Angeles City College, where I studied film and production as well as making short films. After completing the program at LACC, I enrolled at West L.A. College. After I graduated, I worked on over 30 productions in the course of three years. I have done almost everything you can imagine on a film set from storyboard images to editing and everything in between.
I started Polar Underworld Productions and set my main focus on directing because there were a lot of voices that have not been heard on major platforms. I directed two major short films: Seeking Valentina and The Carting Call. Both of my short films showcased an inclusive, gender-balanced cast and eliminated stereotypes and tropes that have been perpetuated by Hollywood. Seeking Valentina and The Carting Call has received many awards, nominations and has gotten distribution.
I co-directed my first feature film The Central Authority, with one of my long-time collaborators Kristin West. We produced it with Dana Olita and Matt Chassin. We filmed it remotely during the height of the pandemic, and we are all proud to make an inclusive film that has won multiple awards, including Best Ensemble Cast and Best Use Of A Diverse Cast from FANtastic Horror Film Festival.
I directed my first documentary feature George Hobbs: Stick Figure Wisdom. I produced it with Kristin West and Matt Chassin. George Hobbs: Stick Figure Wisdom is about an American artist named George Hobbs, who is using his art to bring people together. I’m humbled that the documentary took home the Grand Prize for Best Documentary Feature at Marina del Rey Film Festival, and the documentary also received the Marlon Brando and Sacheen Littlefeather Award for Best American Documentary and Best Original Story at Frida Film Festival. It’s great to see that people are responding to George’s message.
I was honored to direct both “Miles Around” and “Safe” music videos performed by Aventurine. Both music videos have received multiple nominations and awards at film festivals domestically and internationally. I’m currently in post-production on another documentary feature that I directed and co-produced with Todd Garner and Jo Harmon. I’m also involved on another documentary with Bessy Adut, who is an award-winning filmmaker. I am just excited and privileged to work with a lot of talented artists. My purpose in life is to tell stories that showcase how we are all alike regardless of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender. I want to give a voice to the voiceless and for the audience members to see a human experience portrayed on screen.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It wasn’t always a smooth road. Whenever you feel you are making progress, there’s always going to be a setback.
I grew up in a small city before moving to a big city. It was a major transition. I quickly learned that you have to be versatile because it’s extremely competitive in a bigger market. Your competition is yourself or you will not evolve as an individual.
Many artists also have a side hustle, and it’s always a struggle to find a balance with your livelihood and your dreams.
I was auditioning for roles and went through several rejections. Now, I am a filmmaker and I have made projects that are a proven success, but it’s still very hard to get funding for projects that you want to get made. Once you make a project, you will still get rejections from film festivals and distributors. It takes perseverance to overcome obstacles.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I started Polar Underworld Productions when I was taking film courses at LACC. There are a number of actors, directors, and producers that are making movies with their own production companies, and that inspired me to form my own company for creative control. As a filmmaker, I wanted to use my own production to give a voice to the voiceless. For example, I wrote, directed, and produced a short film titled Seeking Valentina.
Seeking Valentina focused on a first and second-generation Iranian-American family as leading actors and actresses in non-stereotypical roles. The film has received over 15 awards, including an Honorable Mention at the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.
Five years after its release, Seeking Valentina got another life when it was picked up by Shorts TV. I am really proud that this project that I poured my heart into, has stood the test of time. I am also proud that I have continued to make more films that feature an inclusive community both in front of the camera and behind the camera. The reception was positive and it’s proven that the audiences want to see visual stories that are a reflection of America.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love listening to music of all genres. Music maintains my creative momentum.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @arminnasseri
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arminnasserifilmmaker
Image Credits
Tarin Bai, Jo Harmon, Todd Garner, Kristin West, Lydia Keen Woodruff, Lizette Santiago, Steve Escarcega
