On Melting Snow is a contemplative documentary that immerses us in the artistic world of Sophie Cauvin, a Belgian painter. Directed by Franco-Iranian filmmaker Mojtaba Bahadori, the film follows the artist in her creative exploration, drawing inspiration directly from nature.
Through previously unseen landscapes, the documentary showcases Sophie Cauvin’s impressive collection of stones and soil. In poetic silence, the artist reveals her creative process, giving the film a mysterious and mesmerizing atmosphere.This ode to the earth and art stands out for its visual beauty and environmental commitment.
On Melting Snow was awarded Best Film for Climate Change at the COP 29, highlighting its significance in the dialogue on contemporary ecological challenges.
Director’s note :
In the aftermath of the pandemic, our world was plunged into a collective state of fear and silence. The uncertainty of impending lockdowns left humanity bewildered and apprehensive. Yet, amidst the chaos and stillness, a remarkable transformation unfolded. Nature began to reclaim its spaces, with animals venturing into the once-empty streets, and the air grew cleaner, as if it was silently healing itself.
These profound changes left me pondering the impact of these events on our environment. Would this event lead to a slower pace of snow and icebergs melting, possibly representing a silver lining?
It was a period when the present seemed disconnected from the past, almost as if it were a distant memory. The profound isolation experienced by humans within our own nature inspired me to seek solace in painting, a long-held dream.
My childhood passion for dust and stone became my muse. The idea of painting with dust resonated deeply with me, and it was during this exploratory phase that I chanced upon the works of Sophie Cauvin, an artist whose creations not only captivated me visually but also resonated deeply with her philosophy and creative process. I felt a compelling need to share this newfound treasure with others.
As with any creative journey, doubts and questions naturally emerged. I chose to embrace these doubts as an integral part of the project, making them an essential element of the film. On Melting Snow is not merely a documentary; it’s a reflection on our planet’s memories as seen through the eyes of an artist. It delves into the essence of life, creation, and the intricate relationship between man-kind and nature.
The film invites viewers to join the artist’s hypnotic quest, blurring the lines between what is the artist’s creation and what is nature. This confusion serves as an echo of the artist’s own internal questioning.
On Melting Snow offers a transformative experience. It challenges conventional perspectives, urging us to pause, observe, and truly appreciate the often-overlooked world. It beckons us to delve beyond the horizons, revealing the profound interconnectedness of all life on Earth.
Through the narrative of the artist’s audacious dream to unite Earth in a realm of unity and boundlessness, the film prompts contemplation of a world where harmony transcends boundaries.
Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and awakened as you embark on a journey into an unimagined world — a realm where art and nature dance intimately, leaving an everlasting impression on the very essence of your being.
- Mojtaba Bahadori
In the presence of director Mojtaba Bahadori and painter Sophie Cauvin on March 22nd in Montreal.
Through previously unseen landscapes, the documentary showcases Sophie Cauvin’s impressive collection of stones and soil. In poetic silence, the artist reveals her creative process, giving the film a mysterious and mesmerizing atmosphere.This ode to the earth and art stands out for its visual beauty and environmental commitment.
On Melting Snow was awarded Best Film for Climate Change at the COP 29, highlighting its significance in the dialogue on contemporary ecological challenges.
Director’s note :
In the aftermath of the pandemic, our world was plunged into a collective state of fear and silence. The uncertainty of impending lockdowns left humanity bewildered and apprehensive. Yet, amidst the chaos and stillness, a remarkable transformation unfolded. Nature began to reclaim its spaces, with animals venturing into the once-empty streets, and the air grew cleaner, as if it was silently healing itself.
These profound changes left me pondering the impact of these events on our environment. Would this event lead to a slower pace of snow and icebergs melting, possibly representing a silver lining?
It was a period when the present seemed disconnected from the past, almost as if it were a distant memory. The profound isolation experienced by humans within our own nature inspired me to seek solace in painting, a long-held dream.
My childhood passion for dust and stone became my muse. The idea of painting with dust resonated deeply with me, and it was during this exploratory phase that I chanced upon the works of Sophie Cauvin, an artist whose creations not only captivated me visually but also resonated deeply with her philosophy and creative process. I felt a compelling need to share this newfound treasure with others.
As with any creative journey, doubts and questions naturally emerged. I chose to embrace these doubts as an integral part of the project, making them an essential element of the film. On Melting Snow is not merely a documentary; it’s a reflection on our planet’s memories as seen through the eyes of an artist. It delves into the essence of life, creation, and the intricate relationship between man-kind and nature.
The film invites viewers to join the artist’s hypnotic quest, blurring the lines between what is the artist’s creation and what is nature. This confusion serves as an echo of the artist’s own internal questioning.
On Melting Snow offers a transformative experience. It challenges conventional perspectives, urging us to pause, observe, and truly appreciate the often-overlooked world. It beckons us to delve beyond the horizons, revealing the profound interconnectedness of all life on Earth.
Through the narrative of the artist’s audacious dream to unite Earth in a realm of unity and boundlessness, the film prompts contemplation of a world where harmony transcends boundaries.
Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and awakened as you embark on a journey into an unimagined world — a realm where art and nature dance intimately, leaving an everlasting impression on the very essence of your being.
- Mojtaba Bahadori
In the presence of director Mojtaba Bahadori and painter Sophie Cauvin on March 22nd in Montreal.
Other festivals:
Film Fest Tucson, USA (2024)
Goa International Film Festival, Goa (2024)
Also presented:
United Nations Climate Change Conference, United Nations Climate Change Prize, Azerbaijan (2024)
Film Fest Tucson, USA (2024)
Goa International Film Festival, Goa (2024)
Also presented:
United Nations Climate Change Conference, United Nations Climate Change Prize, Azerbaijan (2024)
| Director | Mojtaba Bahadori |
| Script | Mojtaba Bahadori |
| Colorization | Emre Kocazorbaz |
| Cast | Sophie Cauvin |
| Sound | Hassan Shabankareh |
| Cinematographer | Mojtaba Bahadori |
| Music | Javad Safari |
Present in these collections
Session
• Centre Canadien d’Architecture
Saturday, march 22, 2025, 06:15 p.m. — 07:28 p.m.
Production
Mojtaba Bahadori
Mojtaba Bahadori is a filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist whose work transcends artistic boundaries, crafting deeply personal and evocative narratives. He study cinema at the art University of Tehran and continued in Paris, where he collaborated with the renowned Louis Lumière School, further refining his skills as a cinematographer and film editor. Mojtaba’s photography earned him the IBDAA Award.
His curiosity extended beyond the cinematic world when he pursued gemology study in Antwerp, Belgium, where he studied the intricate beauty of stones and minerals. This unique exploration of the natural world became a profound source of inspiration for his visual art, reflecting his deep connection to both nature and the human experience. In his film, Mojtaba often merges poetry and literature with self-reflection. Throughout his career, Mojtaba has had the privilege of learning in person from filmmakers such as Chantal Akerman, Abbas Kiarostami and Béla Tarr. His cinematic style, characterized by poetic minimalism and conceptualism. His film, “On Melting Snow,” explores the intricate relationship between humanity, nature, and art, delving into how creativity can capture and convey the fragile balance of the natural world.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team and edited by Le FIFA’s team
His curiosity extended beyond the cinematic world when he pursued gemology study in Antwerp, Belgium, where he studied the intricate beauty of stones and minerals. This unique exploration of the natural world became a profound source of inspiration for his visual art, reflecting his deep connection to both nature and the human experience. In his film, Mojtaba often merges poetry and literature with self-reflection. Throughout his career, Mojtaba has had the privilege of learning in person from filmmakers such as Chantal Akerman, Abbas Kiarostami and Béla Tarr. His cinematic style, characterized by poetic minimalism and conceptualism. His film, “On Melting Snow,” explores the intricate relationship between humanity, nature, and art, delving into how creativity can capture and convey the fragile balance of the natural world.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team and edited by Le FIFA’s team
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