Iranian Cinema Takes Center Stage: Two Films Set for Cannes 2025-2026!

Iranian Cinema Takes Center Stage: Two Films Set for Cannes 2025-2026!

Next month, two remarkable Iranian films will be featured in the highly anticipated Cannes Cinema Season 2025-2026 in Cannes, France. The films, “Melody” directed by Behrouz Sebt Rasoul and “Daughter” by Reza Mirkarimi, will screen on September 18 under the program “Cannes Cinema Thursdays – Focus on Iranian Cinema” at the Espace Miramar movie theater.

About the Films:

  • “Melody”: A joint production of Iran and Tajikistan, this film tells the touching story of a young musician named Melody. She teaches music to sick children at a specialized center. At the request of her 30 students, she sets out to compose a piece for a late autumn celebration inspired by the songs of thirty different birds.
  • “Daughter”: This 2016 film revolves around Setareh, who lives with her conservative father, Mr. Azizi, in an oil town in southern Iran. Tired of her father’s strictness, she decides to travel to Tehran for a friend’s farewell, leading to a series of events that disrupt her family’s life.

In “Melody,” the protagonist Melody journeys back to her village to gather inspiration and enlist the help of Mango, a mute caretaker of her family home. Together, they seek out the sounds of the missing birds, ultimately discovering that only an old village singer, previously expelled by hunters, knows where to find them. This enchanting tale is set against a breathtaking natural backdrop, enhancing the film’s emotional depth.

The film was produced in 2023 and has a runtime of 85 minutes. It features an impressive cast, including Iranian actors Diman Zandi, Alireza Ostadi, and Meghdad Eslami, alongside Tajikistan’s Safar Haqdodov and Zulfiya Sadikova.

Awards and Recognition:

  • “Melody” has received international acclaim, participating in several prestigious film festivals.
  • It was showcased at the 21st Chennai International Film Festival in India (2023), 42nd Fajr International Film Festival in Iran (2024), and 24th Keswick Film Festival in London (2024).
  • At the 23rd ImagineIndia Film Festival in Madrid, it won multiple awards, including Best Director of Photography, Best Music Design, and Best Original Music.
  • The film was selected as Tajikistan’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.

On the other hand, “Daughter” offers a glimpse into the life of Setareh, who feels stifled by her father’s authoritarian rule. Her decision to attend her friend’s farewell in Tehran leads to unforeseen consequences that shake the family’s stability. The film features a talented cast, including Farhad Aslani, Merila Zarei, Mahoor Alvand, Shahrokh Foroutanian, Newsha Modabber, and Ghorban Nadjafi.

Awards and Recognition:

  • “Daughter” received the Golden Peacock for Best Film at the 47th International Film Festival of India.
  • It also won the Golden George Award for Best Film at the 38th Moscow International Film Festival.
  • The film was awarded Best Film at the 15th Dhaka International Film Festival.

Cannes Cinema Season:

The Cannes Cinéma program is dedicated to celebrating film culture through a variety of activities, including film screenings, conferences, and special events. The season runs from September 8, 2025, to June 4, 2026, showcasing a diverse array of cinematic works.

This initiative includes regular film screenings as well as major events like the Cannes Film Festival, Cannes Cinéphiles, and Italian Film Week, catering to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

As part of its mission, Cannes Cinéma also focuses on image education, offering workshops, training courses, and masterclasses to foster a deeper appreciation for the art of filmmaking.

In conclusion, the screening of “Melody” and “Daughter” at the Cannes Cinema Season 2025-2026 highlights the rich storytelling and artistic talent emerging from Iran. These films not only capture the essence of Iranian culture but also resonate with universal themes that appeal to a global audience.

Photo: Scenes from “Daughter” (L) and “Melody”

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