Synopsis: At a psychology class, Olivia’s desk partner and an ex best friend Matteo, asks her out to unwind and have some of her favorite pistachio ice cream. Olivia abruptly and flatly refuses, saying, as always, that she has to study. Meanwhile the old and wise teacher gives the class a little psychological test, which is supposed to show the students’ level of satisfaction with their lives. Frustrated by the results of her test, Olivia expresses her displeasure, to which the teacher, laughing kindly, asks Olivia a question that opens her eyes to an intensely workaholic situation she is in and makes her wonder if she is missing out on simple, small moments of happiness. The school bell rings as well as her phone with Olivia’s father on the other end. As Olivia reports to him all of her accomplishments and receives a dry response, she realizes that maybe she actually wanted to earn her father’s love so badly that she forgot that the most important thing is to love herself. She hangs up the phone and runs to join Matteo, the friend with whom she has long lost a close connection, to go enjoy their still favorite pistachio ice cream.

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Pistachio Ice Cream is the most intimate story of mine at the moment. Growing up with exceedingly high standards in an oppressing school system left its mark on me and thousands of teenagers my age. I want my peers to know that they are not alone and it is okay to rest and take good care of themselves.

Born and raised in Kazakhstan, Amira came to the United States at the age of 16 to explore world of cinematic arts and pursue a directing career. “Pistachio Ice Cream” became her second movie in a role of a director and the very first one accomplished in the US.

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