Niloufar Taghizadeh captures Googoosh’s life on camera

“I felt like I was 14 again. I was no longer a film director — just a girl who was a fan,” begins filmmaker Niloufar Taghizadeh about meeting the subject of her documentary Googoosh: Made of Fire.

Niloufar’s latest cinematic offering is part fan film part socio-political history of the last half-century in Iran. The film explores the life of Iranian pop star Googoosh, showcasing her journey from mid-century Tehran to her exile in the West, intertwining concert footage, images of revolution, and the recent Women, Life, Freedom movement.

Like her troubled nation, Googoosh is a symbol of survival. Niloufar, born amidst the revolution, represents a lost generation of Iranians shaped by war and oppression. Her documentary serves as a voice for her generation, shedding light on the untold stories of those affected by political turmoil.

Through rare footage and candid interviews, the film uncovers the woman behind the icon, portraying Googoosh’s struggles, hopes, and fears as an artist and exile. It transcends politics to embody a celebration of resilience in the face of adversity.

Carrying a love for Googoosh from Iran to Germany

Niloufar’s journey through exile led her to forge a friendship with Googoosh, enabling her to access the star’s private archive and capture intimate moments of her life. The film beautifully merges past and present, inviting viewers to contemplate the future of both the singer and her homeland.

Followed by the accolades of her recent release, Niloufar embarks on a new project, promising to continue narrating the untold stories that bridge love for a lost homeland with a beacon of hope.