“People have memories with it, and I play with those memories — so we should take care of our memories.”
Director’s Statement
Documentary Film “Beetle Lover” – 2016
Ramtin Ruzitalab
Beetle Lover was born out of a personal curiosity — a fascination with people who are passionately devoted to collecting and restoring classic Volkswagen Beetles. To me, this affection wasn’t just about cars; it was about attachment, perseverance, and the desire to preserve a piece of the past within the rush of modern life.
In 2016, I decided to sit down and talk with five Beetle enthusiasts living in Shiraz — each of them speaking, in their own way, about the emotional bond they share with their cars. At first glance, they might seem like collectors or mechanics, but to me, they embody a unique kind of love — one that smells of gasoline and rusted metal, yet carries deep warmth and nostalgia.
These conversations were full of humor, memories, and emotion. I wanted the film to reflect that — not merely as a story about vintage cars, but as intimate portraits of people who live out love in an unexpected form.
My friend Dariush Ghaibi joined the project as Technical Adviser, and he’s also one of the characters interviewed in the film. His presence, both behind and in front of the camera, helped shape the honest and friendly tone I wanted for this work.
In the end, Beetle Lover became an exercise in seeing love — in its simplest, strangest shapes — a kind of love that smells like motor oil and beats with the rhythm of an engine.
Producer / Director / Director of Photography
Ramtin Ruzitalab
Assistant Director & Production Coordinator
Elham Dehbozorgi
Technical Adviser
Dariush Ghaibi
Featuring
Beetle Enthusiasts from Shiraz
Year of Production: 2016
Country: Iran
