MAZIYAR KHATAM EXPLORES MODERN QUESTIONS OF MASCULINITY IN 'THE SWEATER'
A graduate of the Humber College Film and Television Production program, Maziyar Khatam is an Iranian-Canadian Director/Writer who is passionate about telling offbeat and revealing stories. He has contributed to a diverse array of Canadian projects, including short films and documentaries. Maziyar is a two-time Sundance alumnus with his two short films, "BUMP" (2022) and "BABA" (2023). He is also the co-owner of Funny Bone Pictures, a production company in Toronto.
Photo by Percy Eriamiator
Interview by Rebeccah Love
What kinds of filmmakers have you enjoyed the most in your adult life?
Recently, I’ve been really drawn to the works of John Cassavetes, especially the performances in his films. You can never tell what’s improvised and what’s scripted—it feels like a seamless blend of both. Beyond that, hearing about the lengths he went to get his films made, like financing them himself and even mortgaging his home while working with his wife, is inspiring for a young indie filmmaker
Can you talk about 'The Sweater'?' What is this film all about? What questions are you exploring in this work?
It’s about a guy, Maz who donates his favorite sweater at his girlfriend’s request. When he complains to his homies, they further emasculate him for listening to his girlfriend in the first place. Feeling inferior, Maz decides to reclaim his sweater, not only to prove his manhood but also to validate his seemingly insignificant existence.
The film is a satirical exploration of obsession, self-worth, and the fragility of masculinity. My character plays both the protagonist and antagonist, constantly creating conflicts for himself because he can’t let things go. It all leads to an existential realization: no one really cares if he gets the sweater back or not. His friends' indifference reflects the universal struggle for validation, highlighting how we often define our self-worth through trivial, mundane pursuits.
Can you discuss your process in making The Sweater?
At first, executing the film didn’t seem feasible from a budgetary perspective, especially with one of the key scenes being set at a donation centre/thrift store. Our team had no finances to shut down an entire store, hire background extras, and shoot such a scene.
So decided to use hidden cameras and sneak into real locations, which gave the film a voyeuristic and documentary feel. The result was a bizarre hybrid of real people and actors fusing into a single narrative.
The Sweater Trailer:
Can you tell us about your past films 'Bump' and 'Baba'? Have you been developing one singular theme in your work or working through many different themes?
They definitely come from a personal place. Even though both films have an absurd tone, I try to make them feel grounded. The goal is always to take these low-stakes situations and make them feel like life or death for the characters. In BUMP, it’s about two guys who can’t let go of a trivial incident. In BABA, it's a middle-aged Iranian man who refuses to pay his rent. With these simple premises, I try to dig deeper into the characters' lives, exploring what they’re hiding internally—whether it’s deep-seated insecurities about wanting to be seen as a “big man” in BUMP, or not facing the reality of being a terrible parent in BABA.
The common thread in these films is that men can be pretty fucking stupid.
Can you tell us about some of your favourite festival experiences so far?
Sundance was an absolute blast, it’s a film lover’s dream. The audiences are amazing in both Park City and Salt Lake City. There’s always something interesting happening during that time.
What upcoming films are you hoping to watch in this season's festival circuit?
Anora!
THE SWEATER - Screenings
Calgary International Film Festival:
SEPT 25 - 8 pm
Vancouver International Film Festival:
SEPT 27 8:30 pm
SEPT 28 1:30 pm
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