In 2003, at the height of her fame, Mitra Hajjar made a bold decision to leave Iran temporarily to pursue further studies and artistic exploration abroad. She first moved to France, where she immersed herself in the European art scene, and later continued her academic and cinematic pursuits in the United States. Her years abroad provided her with a chance to engage with global cinema beyond the limitations imposed by Iranian censorship.
During her stay overseas, Hajjar participated in several international projects, expanding her professional reach. Among these were This Song Is Not a Love Song, Blue Stella, and The Hunter, the latter directed by Rafi Pitts, an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker working in Europe. Her roles in these films allowed her to explore new acting methods and to work in multilingual, multicultural environments—a valuable experience that would enrich her later performances in Iranian cinema.
