A Fox Under A Pink Moon | Sydney Film Festival 2026
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Date Reviewed: 03/06/2026
“A Fox Under A Pink Moon” may be the story of one young woman but it’s an important one. And that fact is even more so while the US continues to wage a war with Iran. This film is a documentary about how one youngster tries to escape an oppressive regime.
This documentary is directed by Mehrdad Oskouei and edited by Amir Adibparvar. The actual footage was shot by the film’s subject, 16-ear-old Afghan artist, Soraya Akhalaghi. Here, she chronicles the five years she spent trying to flee Iran in order to reunite with her mother in Austria.
Soraya is a very gifted artist. She uses her art as an outlet for the painful experiences and setbacks she endures. The first of these are the beatings from her uncle following her mother’s departure overseas. Later these are from her husband Ali, whose identity is obscured throughout the film. Soraya is incredibly strong throughout it all.
This story is an intimate look at the asylum seeker process. Soraya shows the numerous attempts she makes including ill-fated rides in boats and trucks, plus some blisteringly-long, arduous treks. These are all in the hopes of gaining a better life for herself. She finds hope in speaking to the titular fox who is interspersed here in the footage along with some specific animated sequences.
Sorya is nothing short of an inspiration. She is a clever young woman who is full of life. She is also an accomplished artist who is at ease with many different mediums including drawings, sculpture, and performing music. It is heartbreaking to watch her constantly keep fighting and challenging her state of limbo, especially as she encounters numerous setbacks along the way. This is ultimately an honest and human story about hope and resilience.
By: Natalie Salvo.