Don’t Miss the Cinema Museum’s Screening of ‘The House Is Black’ – A Must-See Classic!

The acclaimed Iranian documentary, “The House Is Black”, directed by Forugh Farrokhzad, is set to be screened at the Cinema Museum of Iran. This significant film event will take place on Monday at 5 p.m. as part of the Documentary Nights program, according to Mehr News Agency. The screening will be followed by an engaging review session featuring esteemed documentary filmmaker Pirooz Kalantari and renowned film critic Parviz Jahed.

“The House Is Black” offers a poignant exploration of life and suffering within a leper colony, delving deep into the human condition and the beauty of creation amidst adversity. The film reveals unexpected grace in a community often shunned by society, where inhabitants live, worship, learn, play, and celebrate within their isolated world. Despite their circumstances, the children in the colony attend school, with some visibly affected by the disease while others appear healthy.

Through a unique blend of voiceover narration that draws from the Old Testament, the Quran, and Farrokhzad’s own poetry, the documentary presents an unflinching portrayal of those marginalized by society. This cinematic work provides a deeply empathetic encounter with the humanity behind the disease, highlighting their struggles and joys.

Key features of “The House Is Black” include:

• A series of attentive black-and-white shots that showcase the beauty of physical differences.
• Daily moments that interweave pain, despair, warmth, and joy into a profound human document.
• Footage captured at the Bababaghi Hospice leper colony, providing an authentic glimpse into the lives of its inhabitants.

This film is particularly significant as it was the sole directorial work of Farrokhzad before her untimely death in 1967. Notably, after completing this project, she adopted a child from the colony, her son, Hossein. The documentary has gained international recognition, especially after a restored print premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2019.

Forugh Farrokhzad, primarily known as a poet, made a transformative return to Iran in 1958 after a stay in Europe. During this period, she met filmmaker Ebrahim Golestan and worked at his film studio, where she honed her skills as an editor on his documentaries. This experience paved the way for her to direct “The House Is Black” in collaboration with a leprosy charity, shedding light on a subject that had been largely overlooked.

Although the film received minimal attention outside Iran upon its initial release, it has since been hailed as a landmark in Iranian cinema. In 1963, it was awarded the grand prize in the documentary category at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen in West Germany, further solidifying its significance in film history.

The Cinema Museum of Iran is conveniently located in Tehran’s upscale Bagh-e-Ferdows neighborhood, near Tajrish Square on Valiasr Street. Attending this program is free of charge, making it accessible for all documentary enthusiasts and those interested in Iranian cinema.

Join us for this compelling screening of “The House Is Black”, and experience a film that not only captures the essence of humanity but also challenges societal perceptions of beauty and normalcy. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking discussion with notable figures in the film industry.