Fajr International Film Festival Launches: 14 Competing Films Vie for Prestigious Crystal Simorgh Awards!

TEHRAN – The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) commenced on November 26 in Shiraz, Fars Province, showcasing an impressive selection of 14 films competing for the coveted Crystal Simorgh awards in the international competition section. This year’s lineup features a broad array of cinematic endeavors from both Iranian and international filmmakers, providing audiences with a rich and varied perspective on contemporary global themes and Iranian cinema.

The films presented during the festival include:

• Creating a Man – Directed by Murat Çeri (Turkey)
• When We Bloom Again – Directed by Shin Kyung-soo (South Korea)
• Lesson Learned – Directed by Bálint Szimler (Hungary)
• River Returns – Directed by Masakazu Kaneko (Japan)
• My Father’s Scent – Directed by Mohamed Siam (Egypt and Sweden)
• Catane – Directed by Ioana Mischie (Romania and Italy)
• Deal at the Border – Directed by Dastan Zhapar Uulu (Kyrgyzstan)
• Pyre – Directed by Vinod Kapri (India)
• Made in EU – Directed by Stephan Komandarev (Germany, Bulgaria, and Czech Republic)
• March to May – Directed by Martin Pavol Repka (Czech Republic)
• Look at Me – Directed by Vladimir Grammatikov (Russia)
• Endless Land – Directed by Vassilis Mazomenos (Greece)
• He Doesn’t Sleep – Directed by Reza Jamali (Iran)
• A Time in Eternity – Directed by Mehdi Norouzian (Iran)
• The Bridge – Directed by Mehdi Asgari (Iran)

The film Creating a Man delves into the life of a writer who struggles to differentiate between reality and fiction as he becomes embroiled in the tragic narrative he is penning. Meanwhile, When We Bloom Again narrates the heart-wrenching story of a grieving father and his distraught wife as they grapple with the loss of their daughter in the Sewol ferry disaster.

Another notable entry is Lesson Learned, which follows a young teacher named Juci who challenges outdated educational practices while a new foreign student, Palkó, struggles to adapt to Hungary’s education system. The film serves as a reflection of societal constraints.

River Returns tells the tale of Yucha, who, amidst the chaos of typhoons threatening his village in 1958, embarks on a journey into the mountains. There, he confronts the grieving spirit Oyo, whose sorrow has caused floods for centuries.

In My Father’s Scent, a father and son confront their past grievances during a tumultuous night, attempting to mend their fractured relationship. Similarly, Catane explores the chaos that ensues in a village when locals falsely claim to have disabled members to evade taxes, prompting an investigation by the Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

Deal at the Border unfolds at the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border, featuring Aza and Samat as they navigate their lives within a drug trafficking organization, only to encounter Nazik, a young woman who escapes from human traffickers.

The poignant narrative of Pyre revolves around elderly couple Padam and Tulsi, who face isolation as their Himalayan village diminishes. A letter from their long-lost son reignites their hope.

Made in EU presents a factory worker in Bulgaria who becomes the town’s first COVID-19 case, facing blame and ostracism from her community as the pandemic escalates.

In March to May, a family’s tranquil life is disrupted when aging parents unexpectedly find themselves expecting another child, challenging the dynamics within their home as their children contemplate their futures.

Look at Me is set in 1948 and follows former opera singer Nina Levitskaya as she struggles to keep her family together amidst the uncertainty surrounding her husband’s disappearance.

In Endless Land, Lazarus grows up in a remote village after the tragic loss of his father, navigating themes of loss, loneliness, and identity.

On the home front, He Doesn’t Sleep portrays a 65-year-old man in a secluded village grappling with insomnia due to war traumas, ultimately finding purpose in helping others despite his struggles.

A Time in Eternity follows a woman on her quest to find her missing husband while navigating complex family dynamics, emphasizing themes of loss and resilience.

Lastly, The Bridge is set against the backdrop of the Iran-Iraq war, depicting young Musa’s moral dilemma as he discovers an enemy infant on the battlefield and seeks to protect the child while yearning to reconnect him with his family.

The festival kicked off with a restored version of Through the Olive Trees, a celebrated film by renowned director Abbas Kiarostami. Released in 1994, this film serves as the concluding part of Kiarostami’s Koker trilogy and is set in a region ravaged by an earthquake in Northern Iran.

Through the Olive Trees intricately weaves the tale of a local stonemason-turned-actor, Hossein, as he faces personal and professional challenges while attempting to propose to his co-star, Tahereh. The film explores the complexities of love and communication against a backdrop of social status and misunderstanding.

Initially selected as Iran’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 67th Academy Awards, it garnered critical acclaim for its insightful exploration of human emotions and relationships. The film was notably nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival, winning the Espiga de Oro at the 1994 Seminci in Valladolid, further solidifying its cinematic legacy.

The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival continues until December 3, 2023, promising a plethora of cinematic wonders for enthusiasts worldwide.