work in progress 1

“Tehran 1977”

EXT. BUSY URBAN STREET – FALL DAY,

The street is packed with cars, many are impatiently honking but for no apparent reason. The posters advertising the latest movie or latest hair product as well the shops signs are in Farsi and English. A few women in the street wear full a length coverall, something like a sheet which is called a “chador”, others women wear a simple headscarf, but most are wearing neither and are in typical western clothes of the day. They wear skirts, blouses, knee high boots and ponchos. Men are also dressed in typical western clothing of the day, slacks, jeans, shirts, blazers, leisure suits.

INT. SEDAN - DAY

YASMINE SAFDI, A girl, 12 years old, pale complexion, bright brown eyes and smooth long brown hair, sits in the back of a new imperial green Chevrolet sedan, she has her school bag next to her on the seat. It also looks new, one of those briefcases with shoulder straps, “Kickers” is embroidered on the front above the buckles. Driving the car is the girl's grandfather BAGHER SAFDI. He is about 55, balding with grayed temples. He looks distinguished; he wears an ascot tie and a crisp pale blue button-down shirt and gray wool slacks. They are speaking in perfect English. He asks how her day went, has she made any friends.

Suddenly, there is a loud bang as the car hits the car in front of it.