This month on Planet Classroom, audiences can screen The White Glove, directed by Arman Taheri. This film is curated for Planet Classroom by the Kids FIRST! Film Festival.
The White Glove, directed by Arman Taheri, is a suspenseful short film blending romance and intrigue. When John meets the enigmatic Angela, a seemingly innocent encounter spirals into deception and danger. With evocative visuals and a layered narrative, this psychological drama explores trust and hidden agendas in a world where nothing is as it seems.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Arman Taheri.
Arman, What inspired the central metaphor of the white glove in the film?
I’ve dropped items in hallways before and had people pick them up for me. Usually, when this happens, a conversation starts about the item because it’s unique to me. When writing the film, I knew I had to characterize Angela with a very specific prop that would create unease in the audience.
While a white glove might seem like a typical accessory, it’s not often worn by 18-year-olds on a college campus. By choosing a white glove as her bait of choice, I found it representative of an older style of thinking. This hinted to the audience that Angela is no ordinary college girl and that her choices are more deliberate than they seem.
How did you approach creating suspense through cinematography and lighting?
I knew, due to budget constraints, that lighting would have to be almost entirely natural to the scene. However, I used the lighting already available and shaped it to fit the tone. For instance, in the hallway scene, the windows provided lots of soft light. By positioning the actors parallel to the windows, I achieved soft Rembrandt lighting that gave the impression of a much higher budg
Going into the film, I wanted to emulate David Fincher’s style of camera work—super smooth and locked onto the actors’ motions. However, when the protagonist, John, is put into an unfamiliar situation in the elevator, I opted to film handheld, reflecting his lack of control and uncertainty. In the final shot, the smooth camera work and eerie, artificial lighting signal Angela’s true intent, creating a haunting climax.
What do you hope audiences take away from the film’s exploration of trust and deception?
I hope the audience finds the story slightly relatable. When stepping into a new environment—college, a new job, or any unfamiliar situation—it’s easy to form quick impressions of people before truly knowing them. While not everyone is a stalker obsessed with your actions, the film highlights how easy it is to fall into the trap of thinking you know someone when you don’
I’ve met friends who turned out to be very different from my initial impression of them, which inspired this film.
Can you share insights into the casting process and how the leads brought their characters to life?
Attending NYU gave me access to the NYU drama department. I had worked with Lyla on an earlier film after reaching out to her via Instagram. Once she was secured, I tailored Angela’s role to her mannerisms. Lyla recommended Khairi, a classmate, for the role of John.
Because Lyla and Khairi were already friends, their on-screen chemistry worked perfectly for the characters. Actors want to work and bring their craft to life, and with a short project like this, we were able to complete filming quickly, leaving room to have fun and improvise on set.
Thank You, Arman!
C. M. Rubin with Arman Taheri
Don’t miss The White Glove, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated by the Kids FIRST! Film Festival for Planet Classroom.
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