When her son was merely two months old, he fell ill, leading to a series of medical tests that ultimately revealed her diagnosis of untreatable bone marrow cancer. The prolonged hospital stays for treatment gradually estranged her from her young boy, who came to associate the hospital as her permanent residence.
Collaborating with Danish filmmaker Emilie Adelina Monies, Pakari presents “The Son and the Moon” as a heartfelt tribute to her son, set to premiere at one of Europe’s prominent documentary film festivals on March 18, as reported by Variety, which exclusively unveils the poster below.
Intertwining personal footage with archival scenes from her homeland in Iran captured with a camcorder, the documentary spans the six-year period following her son’s birth and her cancer diagnosis. It delves into her survival from a coma, her unwavering aspiration to not just survive but thrive in the face of cancer, and her journey to reclaim her roles as a mother and a wife post-hospitalization.
Expressing her aspirations for the film, Pakari shares with Variety, “I truly hope this film will resonate with audiences like Joan Didion’s ‘The Year of Magical Thinking,’ offering solace in shared experiences of grief and life’s traumas.”
The narrative traces her evolution through grief, highlighting her pursuit of embracing the present to witness her son’s growth. When questioned about reconciling this mindset with an incurable illness, she reflects, “Living in the moment – though challenging at times – entails acknowledging and processing grief when it arises. I grappled with feelings of injustice and anger, questioning why this had to happen to me.”
She emphasizes the significance of vulnerability and seeking assistance, acknowledging her fear of mortality and confronting the pivotal question: “If I had only four years left, how would I choose to live them?” This introspection prompted her to reimagine her interactions with her loved ones, including her son, husband, and family.
Directly addressing her son, Oskar, in the documentary, Pakari narrates predominantly in Danish with intermittent passages in her native Farsi. Through archival footage from her visits to Iran, she preserves her Iranian heritage, aiming to educate her son about her roots.
Reflecting on her immigrant identity, she muses, “Navigating one’s identity as an immigrant child poses challenges. Embracing my Iranian heritage was a journey marked by phases of acceptance and self-discovery, influenced by my distinct background within Iran.”
Pakari underscores the importance of instilling cultural knowledge in her son, envisioning his connection to Iran as an integral part of his identity formation.
Beyond portraying her personal struggles with cancer, Pakari underscores that her film transcends the illness, framing it as a narrative of love and resilience crafted for her son.
Looking ahead, Pakari shares her renewed vigor for future projects, indicating a shift from her initial belief that “The Son and the Moon” would be her sole endeavor. Energized by her recovery, she hints at forthcoming creative ventures, although the specifics remain open-ended.
“The Son and the Moon,” a production of Sara Stockmann’s Sonntag Pictures, received backing from New Danish Screen and the Danish Film Institute in collaboration with TV2 Denmark.
CPH:DOX, scheduled from March 13 to March 24, will host the premiere of “The Son and the Moon,” offering audiences a poignant exploration of love and resilience in the face of adversity.
“The Son and the Moon” Courtesy of Sonntag Pictures