The press conference for the Italian film “Anywhere Anytime,” directed by Iranian filmmaker Milad Tangshir, was held on Sunday, 30 November at Honar Shahr Aftab Cineplex in Shiraz. The film was presented in the Future Frame section of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, dedicated to first and second feature films in competition.
Set in Turin, “Anywhere Anytime” follows Issa, an undocumented immigrant from Senegal whose first day as a food delivery cyclist turns into a desperate search across the city after his bicycle disappears. The cast includes Ibrahima Sambou, Moussa Dicko Diango, Max Liotta, and Success Edemakhiota.
Tangshir who has been living in Italy for the past 15 years, introduced his debut feature by explaining the long and research-driven process behind the project. “The making of this film took six years,” he said. “The main character is an African immigrant in Italy who works as a bicycle courier. When his bicycle is stolen one day, he is thrown into an odyssey-like journey through the city.”
Reflecting on his own experience, Tangshir noted: “I went to Italy as a student and studied cinema there. My path turned out to be easier than that of my film’s protagonist, but I was fortunate to personally experience many of the emotions felt by migrants — the instability, and the feeling that your entire life depends on a single piece of paper, a visa.”
He added that his background in documentary filmmaking strongly shaped the film’s approach. “I deeply believe in research and exploration. About 90 percent of what you see in the film is based on things I have witnessed myself or stories people shared with me,” he said.
Tangshir elaborated on his fascination with bicycle couriers, a profession largely dominated by migrants in Italy. “I spent an entire summer accompanying a Senegalese courier and working alongside him,” he explained. “What became clear to me was how essential the bicycle was to their lives. This film is not inspired by the classic ‘Bicycle Thieves ’; rather, I wanted to draw attention to who today’s street ‘thieves’ in Europe really are.”
Emphasizing the social dimension of the film, Tangshir said: “These migrants are invisible to much of Italian society. I wanted to remind people to see them. This is a story that could happen anywhere in the world. Many migrants live under extremely difficult and unseen conditions.”
He also spoke about his casting choices, noting his reluctance to work with professional actors. “I come from documentary cinema, and it was difficult for me to ask someone to act,” he said. “I wanted the people in the film to be themselves. I have worked for years with migration institutions, and I preferred to collaborate with individuals who have lived these experiences with their own bodies and lives.”
The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival is currently taking place in Shiraz from November 26 to December 3, 2025, bringing together filmmakers, critics, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world through a diverse program of screenings, discussions, and cultural events.
