Interview with Filmmaker Ava Maria Safai (“ZIP”)

A filmmaker is joining the podcast today! That’s Ava Maria Safai, the director behind the 2023 body horror short film “ZIP” and the 2025 horror movie Foreigner. Arthur was fortunate enough to discover her through “ZIP,” which you can find on YouTube thanks to ALTER’s platform for terrifying and imaginative horror media. Appreciation for Final Destination, using “ZIP” to call for the liberation of Iranian women, Ava’s music background, pinpointing the right horror-comedy balance, and the importance of being grateful and supportive to your film crew emerge as some of the topics for this conversation.Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastrHere’s how you can learn more about Palestine and IsraelHere’s how you can keep up-to-date on this genocideHere’s how you can send eSIM cards to Palestinians in order to help them stay connected onlineAva’s Good Word: Coraline, Requiem for a Dream, DAHLIA by Christian Laurian, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Boroughs, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, Dance Moms, Outlast, Little Fires Everywhere, Legally Blonde, Mean Girls, Carrie, Holy Spider, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and Telefilm Talent to WatchReach out at [email protected] if you want to recommend things to watch and read, share anecdotes, or just say hello!Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes or any of your preferred podcasting platforms!Follow Arthur on Twitter, Goodpods, StoryGraph, Letterboxd, and TikTok: @arthur_ant18Follow Arthur on Bluesky: @arthur-ant18Follow the podcast on Twitter: @two_centscriticFollow the podcast on Instagram: @twocentscriticpodFollow Arthur on GoodreadsCheck out 2 Cents Critic Linktree