Embrace

Set in Oakland California, Iranian-American medical student is faced with the unraveling of her tightly bonded family unit when she learns that her mother and father have run out of money and have to move back to Iran. Despite Kat’s insistence that she’ll help her parents out, her mother Mitra says that they can’t afford their American life anymore. She has an unexpected encounter with a professional hugger that inspires her to start a new side hustle. In a last ditch attempt to keep everyone together and hold onto her family, Kat decides to become a professional cuddler.

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photo of Jessica Sanders

Credits

Director:

Jessica Sanders

Executive Producer:

Shannon Gibson, Refinery29

Producer:

Khaliah Neal

Screenwriter:

Kathreen Khavari, Chuck Neal

Cinematographer:

Cristina Dunlap

Editor:

Julie Garces, Gena Fridman

Production Designer:

Laura Ochoa

Principal Cast:

Kathreen Khavari, Nina Nahid Nayebi, Ali Dean, Anyi Malik, Shoniqua Shandai, Mitra Jouhari, Eddie Huang, Veronica Mannion, Gia Carides, Bonnie Akimoto

Additional Credits:

Co-Creators: Kathreen Khavari, Chuck Neal, Costume Designer: Shirley Kurata, Kelly Sachiko Page

Contact

Public Film Contact:

Shannon Gibson
Refinery29
shannon.gibson@refinery29.com

Publicity Contact:

Chelsea Sanders
chelsea.sanders@refinery29.com

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About
Year:
2019
Genre:
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Runtime:
13 mins