Maydegol

Maydegol is a 2024 documentary film written and directed by Sarvnaz Alambeigi. The work is about an Afghan teenager Maydegol, an immigrant in Iran, who strives to pursue her dream of becoming a professional Muay Thai boxer while battling the social injustice and violence she encounters beyond the ring.^[1][2]

Maydegol
Festival release poster
Directed by	Sarvnaz Alambeigi
Written by	Sarvnaz Alambeigi
Produced by	Katayoon Shahabi Sarvnaz Alambeigi
Starring	Maydegol
Cinematography	Mehdi Azadi
Edited by	Hamid Najafirad
Production companies	Rabison Art Noori Pictures
Distributed by	Taskovski Films
Release date	18 February 2024 (2024-02-18) (Berlinale)
Running time	73 minutes
Countries	Iran Germany France
Languages	Persian Dari

The international co-production between Iran, Germany and France was selected in the Generation 14plus section at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its World premiere on 18 February and competed for Crystal Bear for the Best Film, and got Special Mention Generation 14plus award.^[3] The film was also nominated for the Berlinale Documentary Film Award.^[4]

Contents

Maydegol is a film that shows the resilience of Generation Z who want to break free from their hopeless situations and claim their rights, especially young women who seek liberation – even if it means risking their lives. The film also reflects the audience's own power.

Maydegol, from an Afghan immigrant family in Iran has dream of becoming a Muay Thai boxer. She does not let her family's traditional views, her past trauma or the discrimination she faces stop her from following her passion. She secretly pays for her boxing lessons by working hard. She sees boxing as a way to not only win in the ring but also cope with life's challenges.

Cast

• Maydegol
• Mohadesseh
• Farzaneh

Release

Maydegol had its World premiere on 18 February 2024, as part of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, in Generation 14plus.^[5][6][7]

In February 2024, Taskovski Films Sales acquired the sales rights of the film prior to its Berlinale premiere.^[8]

Reception

Fabien Lemercier reviewing the film at Berlinale for Cineuropa wrote, "Maydegol turns out to be a female documentary immersion of a kind that is rare in Iran, filmed in a raw style and full of very moving resonance (“we belong to nothing”) about the courage and resilience necessary to face the harshness of the world."^[9]

Accolades

Award	Date	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival	25 February 2024	The Grand Prix of the International Jury: Special Mention	Sarvnaz Alambeigi	Won	^[5]^[10]
		Berlinale Documentary Film Award		Nominated	^[4]

References

1. "Maydegol". Noori Pictures. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
2. "Maydegol". Unifrance. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
3. Economou, Vassilis (18 January 2024). "Berlin unveils the entirety of its Generation line-up". Cineuropa. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
4. "Berlinale Documentary Award and Jury". Berlinale. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
5. Goodfellow, Melanie (17 January 2024). "Berlinale Unveils Full Panorama, Forum & Generation Line-Ups With New Films By Nathan Silver, Levan Akin, André Téchiné & Bruce LaBruce". Deadline. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
6. Dalton, Ben (17 January 2024). "Berlinale unveils complete 2024 Panorama, Generation, Forum sections". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
7. "Maydegol". Berlinale. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
8. Leo Barraclough (7 February 2024). "Iranian Documentary About Teen Girl Thai Boxer 'Maydegol' Picked Up by Taskovski Ahead of Berlinale Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
9. Lemercier, Fabien (18 February 2024). "Review: Maydegol". Cineuropa. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
10. "Generation Awards and Juries". Berlinale. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.

External links

• Maydegol at IMDb  
• Maydegol at AlloCiné (in French)  
• Maydegol at Berlinale