Directed by
Leila Honari
Country of Origin
Australia
Runtime
6:24
Category
Poetry
Inspired by philosopher Attar’s Conference of Birds (1177) and using the structure of a phenakistoscope Farsh-e-Parandeh (Flying Carpet) shows the effort of a group of migratory seabirds trapped in the frames of the looped universe of an animated Persian carpet. These birds symbolically reflect the current environmental and migration crises of humans. The work provides a window into an alternate history of animation when the circle rather than the rectangular screen was foremost. Farsh-e-Parandeh represents unity, wholeness and the divine narrative of the eternal return and is a meditative celebration of the human condition.
Director Biography – Leila Honari
Leila Honari is an animator of Persian background; whose first profession was as a designer of traditional carpets. Her principal research interests lie in the field of cultural and historical animation. She makes animated projects that weave social, cultural, cross-cultural, and historical themes within a symbolic context. Her work deploys a form of animated storytelling rich in motifs and metaphors, using hand-drawn, painterly and patterned-form techniques. “Farsh-e-Parendeh” draws holistically on her personal, cultural and professional background and formed part of her creative practice PhD. Leila leads the Art Direction major in the Griffith Film School’s animation program. Her teaching centres on concept design and creative development based on a firm foundation of drawing – covering human and animal figures, interior and external environments – within the context of animation production. Leila is currently completing “No-Body” another short animation that tells the story of women in Iran from prehistory until the current moment, and their ongoing struggle for agency and justice.