Filmmaker's 18-Year Journey to Reconnect with Brother

Director Mahsa Karampour's debut feature, "Into the Jaws of the Ogre," is a music-tinged documentary spanning 18 years. The film chronicles Karampour's personal quest to reconnect with her brother, Siavash, who moved from Iran to the United States. Their differing life paths and experiences of displacement are central to the narrative.

The documentary explores the Iranian underground music scene, referencing Siavash's past involvement with the band The Yellow Dogs. Karampour sought to capture the stories of talented Iranians abroad, many facing unforeseen hardships that prevented their return. The film incorporates clandestinely shot footage from Iran, offering a glimpse into a forbidden artistic context.

"Into the Jaws of the Ogre" delves into themes of exile, identity, and the universal sister-brother bond. Karampour aimed to tell personal stories with universal resonance, indirectly addressing political contexts like war and censorship. The concept of "ruins" serves as a recurring symbol, representing both inspiration for art and the perceived state of the world. The film’s creation was a lengthy process, with 56 hours of footage gathered over nearly two decades. Karampour collaborated with her producer starting in 2018-2019, with significant time dedicated to writing and editing, which continued into 2023. The low-budget production’s aesthetic reflects the fragile and unfinished nature of the stories shared.