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St. James Hall Community Center, Where i'm From, Wooden Church with Arched Ceiling

Experimental | Art | Music Film (30 min)
A film by Sina Nazarian
 

The dreams of two artists become synchronized as they attempt to face their inner shadow and unmask their true selves. ​

WHERE I’M FROM - Teaser

WHERE I’M FROM - Teaser

Shadow Figure

Synopsis

Two struggling artists—Will, a musician numbing his pain with alcohol, and Tania, a painter paralyzed by creative block—find their lives intertwined after a chance encounter. Tania comes across Will as a busker, unseen by the world and a reflection of her own struggles, sparking her creativity and pulling them into a shared dreamscape.

Within this symbolic realm, Will confronts his shadow self, while Tania channels their journey into an oil painting—a self-portrait uniting them as two halves of the same whole. Displayed in her gallery, the painting becomes a testament to their transformation. Though their paths cross again in reality, they remain unaware of the deep connection they share, each having embraced their inner truths and found a way forward.

Director's Statement

“Artist’s block” is one of the most profound and frustrating challenges for a creative individual. This project began as an exploration of that internal struggle but evolved into something much deeper: a symbolic reflection of Carl Jung’s Individuation Process, which emphasizes the necessity of confronting one’s shadow to achieve wholeness.

At its core, Where I’m From conveys the idea that by learning to listen to our inner voice and embracing the darkness within us, we can overcome internal barriers and realign with our true purpose. The film delves into successive layers of the human psyche, touching on Jungian Archetypes such as the Persona, Ego, Shadow, Anima/Animus, and the True Self. Through the journey of two artists—whose synchronized lives mirror different facets of one self—it reveals that transformation is possible only when we stop running from our shadow and choose to confront it.

 

The metronome, a recurring motif in the film, symbolizes not only rhythm but the inevitability of time and the synchronicity of their intertwined paths. It serves as a reminder that no matter how far we stray, there is always a beat—a pulse—that leads us back to our center.

 

On a personal level, this film reflects my own journey as a filmmaker. Over the eight years it took to complete Where I’m From, I found myself grappling with my own shadow—resistance, fear, and doubt—that often felt insurmountable. Through the process of creating this film, I experienced my own version of individuation, learning to listen to my inner voice and trust my path.

 

Ultimately, Where I’m From is more than a film about artist’s block—it is a meditation on the transformative power of self-awareness and the courage it takes to face the shadows that shape us.

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Berlin Short Festival - 2022 - Best Producer and Editing - Winner (White).png
Milan Independent Award - WINNER 2023 (White).png
Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival WINNER 2023 (White).png
Berlin International Art Film Festival - 2022 - Winner (White).png
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Boden International Film Festival - Winner 2022 (White).png
Vancouver Independent Film Festival-January2023 - Winner (White).png
Montreal Independent Film Festival - 2022 - Nominee (White).png
Toronto Film and Script Awards - 2022 - Nominee (White).png
Art Film Awards - HONORABLE MENTION 2022
Austin Arthouse - 2022 - SEMI FINALIST (White).png
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Art Film Spirit Awards - Semi Finalist 2
Depth of Field International Film Festival - EXCEPTIONALMERIT WINNER - 2023 (White).png
Experimental Forum - 2022 - Honorable Mention (White).png
Winner - Sipontum Arthouse International Film Festival - 2023 1.png
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