MO’ALLEM (THE TEACHER)

Black List Recommended | Austin Film Festival Finalist | Stowe Launch Finalist

Watch the Proof of Concept Trailer

MO'ALLEM is a coming-of-age drama following Maryam Heydari, a gifted young woman from a rural Iranian village who dreams of becoming a teacher. Facing an arranged marriage that threatens her ambitions, Maryam bravely escapes to Los Angeles on her wedding day, leaving behind family and her first love, Darius.

In America, Maryam struggles with cultural isolation, discrimination, and intensified prejudice after 9/11 threatens her hard-earned career. Torn between two worlds, she's forced to reconcile her Iranian heritage with her American dreams… especially when her estranged parents suddenly reappear.

Ultimately, Maryam finds healing through music, bridging her past and present in an inspiring journey of self-discovery.

MO'ALLEM explores identity, sacrifice, and the transformative power of music across cultures.

"MO'ALLEM is a screenplay that emotionally triggers and awakens an audience to see the worldwide issues surrounding women’s independence and racism targeted towards Middle Easterns during such a pivotal and traumatic time for both Muslims and Americans during 9/11."

-8/10 on The Black List

“This screenplay is a brilliantly conceived, brilliantly executed portrait of identity and family and the American dream. Maryam is a wonderfully well-realized main character. She is talented and defiant and courageous while also human and vulnerable and conflicted. Incredible character craftsmanship. A superlatively astute illustration of psychological complexity.”

-Austin Film Festival Finalist