Dreaming Is Not Sleeping is an introspective essay film exploring the relationship between memory, existence, and time, narrated by a spectral voice drifting through ancient ruins. The film contemplates perception, clairvoyance, and whether the present can be seen through the lens of memory, blurring the lines between past, present, and future. As the voice moves through decaying structures, it reflects on human impermanence and defiance of time. Vignettes of past lives illustrate universal human experiences. The film concludes by pondering existence, consciousness, and humanity’s drive to create meaning amidst an indifferent universe, challenging viewers to reflect on their own place in time and memory.
Rouzbeh Rashidi (born in Tehran in 1980) is an experimental filmmaker. He has been making films since 2000 when he founded the Experimental Film Society in Tehran. Over the past two decades, Rashidi has amassed an extensive body of work. His films have screened worldwide at festivals, museums, and galleries – from the Berlin International Film Festival to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tehran – reflecting the growing international recognition of his singular cinematic voice. His work is deeply engaged with film history and primarily concerned with mysticism, philosophy, esotericism, cosmology, phenomenology, and hauntology.
Rouzbeh Rashidi
