I was hired to work on a film in Chechnya, creating the visual look. The country left a deep impression on me. For the first time, I encountered people who physically resembled me. The closeness to Iran created a sense of recognition, while the culture and surroundings felt raw, unfamiliar, and demanding.

Being in a foreign place and still feeling a sense of belonging was deeply emotional. Sediqa played one of the leading roles in the film, and I became fascinated by her story. I could see pain within her, a quiet strength shaped by experience.
Later, when the production traveled to Denmark to complete the film, the young actors fled, refusing to return to Chechnya. That knowledge forever altered the meaning of her portrait for me.