From Iran to Manchester: A Refugee’s Story
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is resonating far beyond geopolitical headlines, deeply impacting the creative community and prompting artists to confront personal histories and urgent contemporary realities. For film director Arash Sedighi, the current war in Iran has brought into sharp focus the experiences that shaped his latest project, a short film titled “Holding on to Home.”
Sedighi’s film, which has already garnered attention at the 2025 Norwich Film Festival and the Spirit of Independence Film Festival, draws directly from his own childhood. He arrived in Manchester, England, in with his parents after they fled the Iran-Iraq war. As he recounted to the BBC, his family left Iran with only two suitcases, embarking on a journey to an unfamiliar world. “Holding on to Home” explores these themes of displacement and adaptation through the eyes of a young boy navigating a new culture.
The film’s resonance is particularly poignant given the current escalation of conflict in the region. Sedighi emphasized the importance of amplifying refugee stories, stating, “Now we spot the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Iran, there will be a lot more refugees. I perceive it’s essential right now to listen to more refugee stories and I think and I hope that people see something new in it – since it’s about a child trying to fit in.” This sentiment underscores a broader trend within the entertainment industry – a growing awareness of the need to represent diverse experiences and provide platforms for marginalized voices.
“Holding on to Home” isn’t simply a retelling of Sedighi’s personal history; it’s a nuanced exploration of the emotional complexities of starting over. The film centers on a young lead character, played by Sam Abbasi, who Sedighi noted possesses a “semi-consciously sad seem” that mirrored his own childhood experience. The director described the character’s struggle as “trying to fit in, self-conscious,” a universal theme that transcends cultural boundaries.
A recurring motif in the film is a set of marbles brought from Iran by Sedighi’s father – a tangible link to a past life and a symbol of the possessions left behind. Sedighi recalls a specific memory connected to these marbles: “The next day, I went to school with my father’s marbles and lost them in a game.” This seemingly small detail encapsulates the larger sense of loss and the challenges of assimilation that many refugees face. He reflects on his childhood as comfortable, but acknowledges, looking back, the difficulty of the transition for his parents.
The timing of the film’s release coincides with a period of heightened global instability. Recent reports indicate escalating tensions in the region, including a reported air strike that killed Iran’s intelligence minister Esmail Khatib. The BBC News has been closely following developments, reporting on everything from potential attacks on Iranian gas fields to concerns about the impact of the conflict on global energy markets. Further complicating the situation, two men have been charged in London with allegedly spying on the Jewish community for Iran, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the conflict.
Sedighi’s story is part of a larger narrative of Iranian artists and creatives who have found themselves grappling with the impact of conflict and political upheaval. The BBC has featured stories of Iranians navigating daily life under air strikes and regime crackdowns, offering a glimpse into the realities faced by those living in the region. The director’s decision to revisit his own experiences through film serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.
The film’s screening at the Manchester Film Festival provides a platform for these stories to reach a wider audience. Sedighi’s work joins a growing body of art that seeks to foster empathy and understanding in a world increasingly divided by conflict. His hope is that “Holding on to Home” will offer a fresh perspective on the refugee experience, prompting viewers to consider the challenges and triumphs of those who have been forced to rebuild their lives in new lands.
Beyond the immediate impact of the film, Sedighi’s story likewise speaks to the broader role of art in processing trauma and fostering dialogue. As the conflict in Iran continues to unfold, it is likely that more artists will draw upon personal experiences to create work that reflects the complexities of the situation. “Holding on to Home” stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to connect us to shared human experiences and to remind us of the importance of compassion and understanding.