A Northwestern University Studio-22 Short FilmI had the privilege of serving as the Director of Photography on Noor, a deeply emotional student film that explores the bond between a Syrian soldier and a kitten he affectionately names after his daughter. This story demanded a nuanced visual approach to convey themes of loss, memory, and hope amidst the chaos of the Syrian Conflict.
As DOP, I was responsible for crafting the film’s visual language from concept to completion. This included collaborating closely with the director to establish the tone and mood of each scene, creating a shot list that complemented the narrative’s emotional beats, and operating the Red Epic camera to bring those visions to life. I focused on framing and movement choices that highlighted the soldier’s internal struggle and his tender interactions with the kitten, balancing moments of stillness and intimacy against the tension of his environment.
In addition to the on-set responsibilities, I supervised the color grading process to ensure the final imagery resonated with the film’s themes, using contrast and muted tones to evoke the soldier’s sense of isolation while infusing warmth into scenes featuring Noor the kitten. This project not only allowed me to hone my technical expertise but also reinforced my commitment to using cinematography as a tool for powerful storytelling.