The Cinematheque

“Not to be missed … [A] coolly deadpan comedy … It takes nothing away from Jalali’s distinctive filmmaking voice to say that the economy and sorrowful humor of Fremont is reminiscent of Aki Kaurismäki and Jim Jarmusch.”

Amy Taubin, Artforum

Fremont, California, known for having the largest Afghan diaspora in the US, is home to Donya (Anaita Wali Zada), a young woman and former translator for the U.S. Army. Every morning she commutes to San Francisco’s Chinatown where she works at a fortune cookie factory. Despite friendly coworkers and an unusually supportive boss, her discontent is palpable. While seeing an earnest psychiatrist (Gregg Turkington) for insomnia, whose ​“bibliotherapy” approach wavers in helping Donya make sense of her trauma, she sets off on a road trip that results in an awkward yet sweet encounter with a mechanic (Jeremy Allen White). The film’s saturnine atmosphere, intensified by stoic black-and-white cinematography, is softened by deadpan humour, earning comparisons to Jim Jarmusch, Aki Kaurismäki, and Paweł Pawlikowski. Challenging American dream platitudes, Fremont presents an unsensational depiction of PTSD and survivor’s guilt that is complicated by longing for companionship and a less monotonous life.

In English, Dari, and Cantonese with English subtitles

“Charming, thoughtful, and carefully crafted … A real gem.” Rodrigo Perez, The Playlist

“Droll, ruminative, engaging … It’s the kind of independent film which we haven’t seen a lot of lately, endowed with intimacy and a kind of dreamy charm.” Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

Welcoming remarks by Dr. Lakshmi N. Yatham and Dr. Catherine Hickey.

Post-screening discussion with Dr. Martina Scholtens, a psychiatrist based in Victoria, BC, and author of Your Heart is the Size of Your Fist.

Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, series director.