Synopsis
Eighty years, five countries, and one legendary restaurant: Hemela is a spirited, deadpan portrait of Montreal’s most irreverent Iranian matriarch as she cooks, commands, and reflects on a life lived entirely on her own terms.
Festivals
SELECTIONS
Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada, 2025 (World Premiere)
Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma - RVQC, Canada, 2026
Written & directed by: Pirouz Nemati
With: Hemela Pourafzal
Cinematographer: Ariane Lorrain
Sound design: Neda Mohseni
Composer: Ilyaa Ghafouri
Editing: Pirouz Nemati
Production: Pirouz Nemati
Version
Original: Farsi, French
with English subtitles
Format
16:9 / stereo
H264, ProRes, DCP
Born in Iran in 1987, Pirouz Nemati is an independent filmmaker, artist and actor currently based in Montreal. He studied photography, film, and media arts at Emily Carr University and holds a BFA in film production from Concordia University. Nemati’s films, video and photography work has been showcased in Iran, Canada and the U.S. Most recently he served as an executive producer, co-screenwriter, and actor in Matthew Rankin’s award winning film Universal Language, 2024.
