“The Steak” Bites into a Tale of Chaos and Survival

In a recent interview with Kiarash Dadgar, co-writer and director of the recently released film “The Steak,” we dived into the origins, challenges, and triumphs behind the creation of this intense short film.

“The Steak” draws its roots from a chilling real-life incident in the south of Iran, as shared by co-writer Ali Narimani. The sudden onset of war forces the characters to abandon their homes in a matter of minutes, creating a tense and unpredictable atmosphere that sets the stage for the entire film.

Kiarash Dadgar, making his directorial debut, highlights the exhilaration of successfully completing the film just before sunset. However, the path to this achievement was not without its hurdles. The production faced the daunting challenge of a shoestring budget and the constraint of shooting the entire film in a single day. Dadgar recounts the year-long struggle to find the perfect location, emphasizing the intense nature of the filmmaking process.

Reflecting on making the short film, Dadgar expresses a desire to approach future projects differently. The importance of thorough rehearsals and communication with actors stands out as a valuable lesson, with Dadgar lamenting the missed opportunity due to his immigration schedule.

For aspiring filmmakers, Dadgar offers practical advice, “Write it in a doable way” – know your capabilities, location, and logistics before embarking on a production journey. He emphasizes the significance of writing stories that can be realistically executed and suggests avoiding narratives tied to specific locations.

To stay updated on Dadgar’s future endeavors, follow his Instagram account @kiarash.dadgar and visit his website kiarashdadgar.com, where he shares insights into upcoming projects and the creative process.

“The Steak” is an official selection of the Utah International Film Festival taking place February 12-17. The film will be screened at maven Cinema’s in American Fork, UT.