The Lucid Dream
-
Running Time 00:04:3
-
Genre Short - Experimental - Allegorical
-
Language No dialogue
-
Completed May 15, 2025, Iran
In Lucid Dream, a protagonist's simple act of window cleaning becomes an existential journey when a persistent stain reveals itself as a metaphor for their past. Their creative solution - painting over it with imagined city vistas - leads to a startling self-discovery...
Arzhang Niavarani is a multidisciplinary specialist and PhD candidate in Entrepreneurship who has developed a unique approach through his distinctive worldview and artistic creativity. A drummer and setar player who has been practicing music since childhood, he embarked on his filmmaking journey in 2020. Since then, he has been writing, directing, and producing short films that demonstrate his exceptional ability for creative storytelling – works that employ indirect approaches to raise questions rather than provide answers.
The film follows a protagonist whose routine task—cleaning a window—triggers an introspective journey when a persistent stain becomes a metaphor for unresolved memories. As they attempt to paint over it with imagined cityscapes, a deeper truth begins to surface. This simple visual premise unravels into a layered meditation on identity, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves to cope and heal.
The Lucid Dream reflects my dedication to visual storytelling that resonates emotionally and intellectually. I believe its minimalist yet surreal tone will connect with audiences seeking thoughtful, visually-driven cinema.
Written & Directed by
Arzhang Niavarani
Actress
Sahar Mohammadi
Editor
Mehdi Razi
Sound Designer
Milad Nekoueian
Music played by
ACCORD-ing To Paolo
Title Designer
Bahare Niavarani
Graphic Designer
Sara Dehji
Special thanks to
Vahid Behrouzian