Capturing the Poetry of Everyday Life: My 24-Second Homage to Abbas Kiarostami

For many years I've used Instagram to film “moments” I felt compelled by, but recently I was listening to Martin Scorcese give a talk of the late Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami's work. What is compelling with Kiarostami's work is the delicate nature his story unfolds, akin to French filmmaker Robert Bresson and Japanese filmmaker Yasijuro Ozu.

Kiarostami's films have the ability to capture the poetry of everyday life through minimalism and authenticity. His films demonstrate that true storytelling lies not in elaborate plots but in the simple yet profound moments that reflect our shared human experiences.

I decided to capture the beauty and emotion of everyday moments through a series of short vignettes. By traveling around and focusing on intimate, fleeting moments, I aim to convey a mood or feeling within 24 seconds, an homage to Abbas' “24 Frames” film.

This approach allows me to express my personal vision, capturing the extraordinary within the ordinary and encouraging others to see the world through a fresh lens. The best part is that anyone with a smartphone can create powerful, intimate moments.

I encourage fellow filmmakers to take on a similar project: create your own series of short vignettes and explore the stories that can be told through simple, powerful imagery.

Discover how these small yet profound moments can inspire and connect us all. I currently am filming my own “24” and you can view it on my IG @melvinthehermit

P.S.

Also, in this video, Scorsese discusses how Kiarostami's films offer a profound exploration of reality, blending fiction with documentary-style storytelling. Listen to Scorcese talk, it's amazing how much he can dive into any film.