
Bolbol بُلبُل
An Iranian mother struggles to bridge the gap with her British-Iranian daughter and fading mother, torn between her desire for assimilation and the remnants of her cultural roots.
Project
Bolbol بُلبُل
The Story
Bolbol tells the story of three generations of Iranian-British women navigating family, identity, and sacrifice under one roof in England. At the film’s centre is Maryam, a devoted Iranian mother balancing her role as caregiver to her elderly mother, Maman Joon—who struggles with dementia—and raising her teenage daughter, Sadira, who struggles to reconcile her British and Persian identities.
Maman Joon spends her days quietly watching television, lost in memories, while Maryam cooks Iranian meals, keeping family traditions alive. Sadira, however, distances herself, seeking to shape her own path and growing frustrated with her mother's expectations. During a tense dinner, Sadira openly challenges Maryam, seeking more autonomy. Later, Maryam’s intimate bedtime routine with Maman Joon shows how deeply her mother embodies Maryam’s last connection to her Persian roots. In an act of personal and cultural solidarity, Maryam cuts her hair—reflecting the defiance of Iranian women fighting for freedom.
Tensions escalate between mother and daughter as Sadira expresses a desire for a nose job, yearning to look “more British” and define herself on her own terms. After an emotional argument where long-buried resentments arise, Maryam feels quietly estranged from her own mother tongue during a visit to an Iranian shop.
Returning home, Maryam finds Maman Joon and Sadira sitting silently together, bound by an unspoken closeness. This shared silence reminds Maryam of the threads that tie her family together despite generational divides and change. Bolbol reflects on the resilience of immigrant women, like nightingales singing through hardship, and the strength of intergenerational identity.
Mood Board
Directors Vision
BolBol means nightingale in Farsi—a bird whose song symbolises freedom and resilience. This film celebrates the strength of women, both on personal and societal levels. Inspired by experiences from a country where women’s rights are ignored, it sheds light on the challenges faced by first-generation immigrants like Maryam and Maman Joon. These women strive to raise children, especially daughters, in vastly different cultural landscapes, where children often adapt faster, creating tension and misunderstandings within the family.
Visually, I plan to use a mix of close and wide shots to convey the characters' feelings of entrapment and oppression. A culturally rich score will connect their individual journeys, highlighting the overlaps in their relationships. Warm, practical lighting and a soft, solemn colour grade will evoke a sense of home, serving as a backdrop for the raw, heartfelt performances.
This story is dedicated to women and immigrants who have faced oppression and worked tirelessly for freedom and safety for the next generation. As its heart, Bolbol is a story of love, identity, resilience, and the pursuit of liberation.
The Team
Lucianna Kyriacou - Director
Lucianna brings a wealth of experience across multiple facets of the industry, including roles as a producer and actor as well as marketing. Her debut film, Vreshi, which she both directed and wrote, served as a breakthrough, allowing her to establish strong and lasting professional connections. Vreshi stands as a testament to Lucianna’s dedication to authentic storytelling, brought to life despite limited funding and significant constraints. Her work on this project reflects her unwavering passion and resourcefulness.
Philippe Stenier - Director of Photography
Philippe is a London-based cinematographer working on short & feature films, commercials, music videos, and documentaries.
With a background in Photography and Electronic Arts, he brings a uniquely creative vision to a variety of projects for productions globally.
He’s known for his work on the feature film 'Tales Of Babylon' (2023) featuring Clive Russell ('Games of Thrones', ‘The Last Duel’, 'Sherlock Holmes'), now streaming on Amazon Prime. He has also shot multiple award-winning short films, including the short film 'Out Damned Spot' (2023) which won Best LGBTQ Film Award at the BIFA qualifying Brighton Rocks Film Festival, 'Smokescreen' (2024) which screened at the BIFA qualifying film festivals Exit 6 Film Festival and New Renaissance Film Festival, and the multiple award-winning comedy miniseries 'Retail is Hell' (2023).
Phil has also shot documentaries for Arte, music videos, and commercials for clients such as Adidas, GQ, Vodafone and Honda.
Lauryn Yuksekses - Producer
Turkish-British producer and actor Lauryn Yuksekses is currently in postproduction for The Last Sixth, originally performed as a play at the Camden Fringe and now adapted into a short film. Since graduating from East 15 Acting School in 2019, Lauryn has been developing and producing multiple short films under her company, Still Human Films, in collaboration with Milo Dumas.

Isabella Lyle - Writer
Iranian-British writer and actress Isabella Lyle makes her screenwriting debut with Bolbol, a story inspired by her own childhood and created to address a storytelling gap in UK cinema. Recently, Isabella starred in the play Girls at the Chelsea Theatre, produced by 2 Heavy Productions, and performed in The Last Sixth at the Camden Fringe this summer. She has also appeared in two short films that are currently in postproduction.
Impact
As of 2021 there are around 115,000 Iranians living in the United Kingdom with the vast majority coming to the UK following the Islamic revolution in 1979.
This project has been impact-driven from the start. As artists of MENA/Mediterranean heritages, we are driven by a commitment to tell stories from our unique cultural perspectives.
Our film tackles a complex subject with subtlety, avoiding heavy-handed messaging while still delivering a powerful and meaningful impact.
Bolbol resonates not only with individuals of Middle Eastern descent but also with anyone who has left their home country. The experiences portrayed in the film are universal, reflecting the journey of many. Additionally, the themes of family relationships transcend cultural boundaries, making numerous moments in the film relatable to a wide audience.
Funding
Our total budget is £10,300, and we’re seeking to raise £5,000 through contributions. Below, you can see a breakdown of our costs in the pie chart, highlighting how your contribution supports our creative vision. Independent filmmaking relies heavily on community support, and your donation—big or small—makes a huge difference.

Still Human Films
What sets Still Human Films apart is our track record of completing high-quality projects without external funding. Our past work, each project completed through our team’s creativity, commitment, and strong collaborative relationships with other artists. This experience has honed our ability to deliver work to the highest possible standard.
Strange Effect Productions
Strange Effect Productions is a London-based film and theatre company specialising in intimate, personal stories. We collaborate with those we represent, building teams deeply connected to the narratives we tell. This fosters a comfortable, engaged environment, resulting in authentic productions that honestly reflect human experiences.