EXAM

"Exam" is a short film directed by Sonia K. Hadad that follows the story of a teenage girl who must deliver a package of illegal drugs before school. Set in Iran, where the punishment for drug offenses is severe, the film explores the circulation of drugs and their place in society, rather than drug use itself. Co-written by Farnoosh Samadi, who wrote "Gaze," the film features a strong lead performance by Sadaf Asgari, who is on screen for almost the entire 15 minutes. The tension in the film builds to the point where it becomes a thriller, and it has received numerous awards, including Academy Qualifying ones, throughout its festival run. Hadad was inspired to make the film by her own experiences and a story from a friend, and she is currently working on her next short film and developing a feature film screenplay.