Elham Asadi

Simin is an Iranian woman on a journey to discover what it means to be a free American. She works for the Census Bureau which, in an effort to control its citizens, has begun a program to record their dreams. Unaware of this devious plot, Simin is torn between her compassion for those whose dreams she is recording and a truth she must find within.

The Poot serves as a beautifully crafted tribute to the ancient Iranian tradition of carpet weaving, documenting the detail and precision that goes into each hand-loomed creation. No part of the process is overlooked: plants are ground into a range of colorful dyes, sheep are sheared and their wool spun into yarn, which is then plunged into enormous dye baths, plans for the next intricate pattern are diligently designed, rhythmic weaving turns string into mat, and a beautiful artifact takes shape before our eyes. In this pure visual treat, stunning cinematography and an ambient soundscape come together to celebrate handmade work in an age of mass-production.