'Fremont' premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim.
Mushroom Studios has unveiled the much-awaited release date for the highly acclaimed film Fremont, featuring a breakout performance by Anaita Wali Zada, alongside Australian-born actor Gregg Turkington, and Jeremy Allen White from the popular show “The Bear.”
Mark your calendars, as Fremont is slated to grace screens nationwide across Australia and New Zealand on May 2.
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Fremont marks Anaita Wali Zada’s debut in a breakout role, sharing the screen with Gregg Turkington and Jeremy Allen White. Directed by Babak Jalali, the film weaves a beautifully poignant narrative, uniquely portraying the experiences of an Afghan immigrant and former US military translator as she navigates her new life in San Francisco, infused with dry humour and stoic optimism.
Director Babak Jalali, known for his previous works, aimed to capture authentic experiences, hence the casting of real-life Afghan refugee Anaita Wali Zada in her debut role. He emphasised the individuality of immigrant experiences and the lasting impact of one’s past on their present circumstances.
“This film is about an immigrant in a new country but, of course, there is no uniform immigrant experience. Each individual has different reasons for leaving and each individual has their own dreams and desires for what the future will hold in their new home. Often, one’s past dictates their present and for someone starting from scratch somewhere far from home, the past is never really behind them,” said Babak Jalali.
Shot in stunning black and white, Fremont presents a nuanced character study, exploring the absurdities of cultural adjustment and feelings of displacement through a deadpan comedic lens.
“Showing humour in situations that are bleak doesn’t underplay the seriousness or depth of a story. It can make it even more real and add layers. As the saying goes: ‘He who cries only has one pain. But he who laughs has a thousand and one pains.’” Jalali added.
Produced by Extra A Productions and Butimar Productions, Fremont delivers powerful performances and outstanding cinematography, offering a compelling narrative of the human experience, universal hopes, dreams, and the pursuit of love.
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim, followed by screenings at SXSW in the US, garnering a range of accolades including the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards, Best Director at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and the Grand Jury Prize at The Independent Film Festival of Boston, among others.
Fremont promises to be a captivating cinematic experience, offering audiences in Australia and New Zealand a chance to immerse themselves in a compelling tale of resilience and humanity when it hits cinemas on May 2.
