Directed by Mehrdad Oskouei and the subject of the documentary Soraya Akhalaghi, at just 16, Soraya is already creating stunning drawings and sculptures that are as beautiful as they are dark. This strong-willed Afghan sculptor and illustrator has been trying for five years to escape Iran and join her mother in Austria.
An element which immediately comes to mind when talking about A Fox Under a Pink Moon is the editing from Amir Adibparvar, because the documentary is incredibly well put together. It features such a wide variety of footage so to put all those pieces together, and to portray not just Soraya Akhalaghi fight to escape the country but her personality, her passion and artistic talents, is an impressive achievement.
That’s really a huge part of the success of A Fox Under a Pink Moon, the fact that Soraya makes for such a wonderful subject. She embodies that idea of whenever you get knocked down, you get back up and try again. She’s charming, clever and gifted and giving the documentary the space to truly capture that was such a perfect choice. It creates this fantastic balance between the harsh nature of Soraya’s battle to escape the country, her relationship with her abusive husband and the frightening experiences of every ‘game’.
Taking all of that and then adding these animated touches, and topping images of her art with a thoughtful narration adds even more personality. As well as that her artwork itself has so much to say on its own. It’s an unusual blend of being casual yet intense, exploring everyday occurrences yet genuine nightmares.
It’s remarkable how A Fox Under a Pink Moon translates Soraya’s story of pain, suffering and hardships into not a tale of disillusionment or the disintegration of hope but a testament to her as a person, her resilience and endearing personality. The screams are haunting, the journey is arduous and long, but what you truly remember is Soraya’s vivacity and artistry. The way that they’ve crafted the style of the documentary and its tone to strongly reflect her personality is excellent.
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