Master's Thesis | Portfolio

This is me presenting my research to my thesis committee.

To access my master's thesis on ProQuest, please click here.

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night has a feminist focus, horror influences (which is my favorite genre), and there is a strong female lead. I felt like I a film embraced and reflected a part of me. A part I spent much of my childhood ignoring: my Persian heritage. I was shocked by how connected I felt to this film. It was inspiring to see a part of myself reflected so beautifully on screen.

My thesis if part memoir, part historical research, and part film analyses. My objective was to share my experiences, my feelings, and my research in hopes anyone else that may be struggling with a sense of “belonging” will find encouragement through my journey.

Discovering Cultural Identity through Film: A Rhetorical Exploration of Women in Persian Cinema, by Sarah A. Sayyar, M.A.

I have always loved movies, and I have always enjoyed using film as an educational tool. Because of how important I think this medium is, I knew I wanted my thesis project to revolve around movies. I wanted to create a project that showcased my greatest skills and passions: research, storytelling, and film analysis.

Why Persian Cinema?

I chose to do my project on Persian Cinema because I am a first-generation Iranian-American. I grew up in a small Arkansas town, and I did not learn very much about the culture as a child. I didn’t learn the language, and most of my Persian relatives live very far away. So, I decided I wanted to focus my study specifically on Persian films so I could feel more connected to that part of my family.

What really solidified my decision was a particular Persian film that really impacted me a few years ago: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. When I reflected on this film, I decided to explore the representation of women within Persian Cinema as the main topic of my thesis.

SS