Siamek Etemadi, an Iranian filmmaker, has chosen to live and work outside of Iran, in a place where he can express his artistic voice freely, away from the restrictions and censorship imposed by the Islamic Republic. His films often weave together his Persian heritage with the creative freedom he has experienced in Greece. Currently, Etemadi is promoting his first feature-length documentary, 'The Stuff We Are Made Of,' which has been showcased in theaters since February. Through his work, he aims to bring awareness to the struggles faced by the Iranian people, and his own deep concerns about the situation in his homeland are evident.

The ongoing turmoil in Iran weighs heavily on Etemadi, as he still has family and childhood friends in the country, all grappling with the uncertainty of their collective future. Etemadi articulates the stark contrast between his freedom of expression in the West and the limitations faced by those still residing in Iran. He emphasizes the importance of giving a voice to the voiceless, highlighting how many individuals within Iran yearn for change but cannot speak out freely due to fear of repercussions from the authorities.

Through his documentary and public discourse, Etemadi hopes to inspire dialogue around the challenges in Iran and the broader struggles for artistic and personal freedoms. The film serves not only as an artistic statement but also as a call to action, drawing attention to the resilience of the Iranian people who continue to hope for a brighter future despite living under oppressive conditions.