A London-based Bahraini filmmaker is stepping into the spotlight as his latest short film exploring forgiveness, compassion and love, brings him a step closer to a major British award.
Husa Monfaradi, an Emmy Award-nominated director and writer, has qualified and submitted his latest short film, One Punch to be considered for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).
Starting from the bottom as a runner (production assistant), Mr Monfaradi has gone on to work with some of the best musical acts and television programmes in the world.
Mr Monfaradi
“I started with making tea on set and doing photocopies back in 1997,” he told the GDN. “About a year later, I got a job with MTV, which was a cultural hub, and that is where I started my path. I knew I wanted to be a director.
“I started directing small things and then eventually left to work in British music television for almost four years.
“Around 2004, I realised that I wanted to make a film, so I started experimenting with music videos, since it was not unusual to veer into the genre from there.”
He went on to work with some of the UK’s biggest musical acts, including Snow Patrol, Arctic Monkeys and, most recently, Lewis Capaldi, directing the video for his latest single, Something In The Heavens.
He also shot documentaries, including a 2010 one about the life of French DJ and record producer David Guetta.
In 2023, he was nominated for an International Emmy Award for a five-part documentary series called The Mandela Project.
In 2023 and 2024, he was chosen as a second unit director for legendary British television programme Dr Who, shooting the subsidiary scenes on what he described as ‘ginormous sci-fi sets.’
In 2022, he wrote the short film One Punch and after raising the money for it, shot it in March 2024.
Mr Monfaradi and actors on set
The film is about a misguided young prisoner who confronts his overwhelming guilt when he is visited by the compassionate parents of the boy he killed.
“It is a very simple yet intense film ... just three actors in a prison visitation room,” said Mr Monfaradi.
“It is very dramatic, very emotional to the point where some viewers cried, and explores themes surrounding forgiveness.
“Could you forgive someone who has done great harm to your family? Could you find forgiveness, love and passion, instead of anger and hatred?
“The truth is, I don’t think anybody knows until they are confronted by a similar situation.”
He wasted no time screening it in top festivals around the world, including a premiere at the Aesthetica Short Film Festival, which is a major BAFTA-qualifying festival held annually in York.
Notably, it was also screened at HollyShorts Film Festival, an Academy Awards-qualifying independent short film festival in Hollywood.
A scene from the film
His efforts paid off, and One Punch qualified for BAFTA consideration, with the long list to be revealed in January, and the shortlist in February next year.
“I am very proud of the film and I want it to do its best on its merits alone,” Mr Monfaradi said.
“It would be a miracle if it went all the way, but if it does, it is justified.
“I believe in the film, the actors and the heads of departments.
“They worked for practically nothing because they believed in me and the script, which means a lot to me.”
Finally, Mr Monfaradi announced that after moving to London at the age of one, he is finally relocating to Bahrain in December after about 50 years abroad.
“My parents moved back last year and so did both of my sisters,” he said.
“I was born in Bahrain, but my experience has been limited to family visits.
“This time, I want to give it a go in my home country. Additionally, I am looking for inspiration about a film project set in Bahrain, something about the people. I think that will come organically in time.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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