Five Iranian Films to Participate in the XVI International Youth Film Festival 'Light of Peace'

Five films from Iran will participate in the XVI International Youth Film Festival 'Light of Peace,' scheduled for September 11 to 16 in Yaroslavl, Russia.

Festival Participants

According to a report by ISNA, the Iranian participants include the films 'Baytora,' directed by Faradjeh Salehi, 'Dandelions Girl,' written and directed by Azadeh Masikhzadeh, 'The Path We Have Taken,' directed by Narges Fazli, 'Faraway Land' by Abbas Ghader Moseni, and 'Pirezan and Shahderakht' by Robabe Hashemi.

The short film 'Baytora' tells the story of events in Gaza. During a truce, a student builds his dream house using available materials and brings it to school.

The film 'Dandelions Girl' tells the story of a young girl who dreams of playing football. She joins the team as a goalkeeper, striving to prove her worth. However, after a boy pushes her into the goalpost, she falls, and everyone believes she is dead. The boy's wealthy father bribes everyone to hide the truth. Nevertheless, in an act of defiance, the boy eventually confronts his father and confesses what happened. In the end, the girl rises, showing that she was never truly defeated.

The short animated film 'The Path We Have Taken' follows a mother with a disability who goes home to pick up her daughter from school and encounters difficulties along the way.

Goals and Scale of the Festival

The International Youth Film Festival 'Light of Peace' is a year-round project that has been running since 2011. Its main goal is to promote the spiritual, moral, patriotic, artistic, and aesthetic development of children and youth through cinema. The festival also aims to create an active environment for creative exchange between children's and youth film studios, emerging young directors, and adult filmmakers creating films for a young audience.

In terms of scale and geographical reach, the film festival is one of the largest competitions in Russia. It is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Russia.

Educational Function

The spiritual and moral program of the competition films shapes the tastes not only of the viewers but also of the filmmakers themselves. The support of the audience, interaction with jury members, and the beauty of the Yaroslavl region provide an emotional charge for creating new works. The film festival serves as a constant educational platform. The process of selection, evaluation, and awarding directors is only the initial stage, as film instructors then use these films as a basis for spiritual and moral education. Viewers see powerful examples of behavior that often determine their entire lives.

www.tehrantimes.comJuly 25, 11:17

Mohsen Gharaei's film 'Falling House' debuts at the Venice Film Festival

The latest feature film by Iranian director Mohsen Gharaei, titled 'Falling House,' will have its world premiere in the Horizons section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, which runs from September 2 to 12.

Previous Works by the Director

'Falling House' is a continuation of the 2017 film 'Blockade.' This drama depicted contemporary Iranian society and won the Best Film award in Busan before being screened in Rotterdam and Munich, according to Honaronline.

Film Plot

The story revolves around a modest family living on the outskirts of Tehran whose housing is threatened with demolition as part of a large-scale redevelopment project. While Rashid, the father and prison guard, is accused of corruption, he discovers that his eldest daughter, Ensi, is secretly planning to leave Iran. As the bulldozers approach, the tension within the family begins to escalate.

Creators and Technical Aspects

The screenplay for 'Falling House' was written by Gharaei in collaboration with Amir Mohammad Abdi. The film stars Lalleh Marzban, Rima Raminfar, Farhad Aslani, and Elena Hakbaz. The musical score was provided by the highly acclaimed composer Max Richter (known for his work on 'Hamnet'), while editing was handled by Evelyn Rack ('Sound of Falling') and Emad Hodabash; the sound design was provided by Ansgar Freireich, who received an Oscar nomination for his work on 'Of Fathers and Sons.'

Production and Support

The film is produced by Milad Hosravi for Seven Springs Pictures. Among the producers are Oscar winner Odessa Rey from RaeFilm Studios ('The Voice of Hind Rajab'), as well as Daya Fernandez, Amuri Nolasco, and Alois Rubenbauer from 3SIX9 Studios. Co-production is carried out by Basis Berlin Filmproduktion ('Of Fathers and Sons') and Zentropa Germany ('King’s Land'), with Ansgar Kilik, who received an Oscar nomination for 'Babel' and 'The Hunger Games,' serving as executive producer.

Message and Sales

Milad Hosravi stated that 'the film carries a warning that we have felt for many years.' He added that the idea arose long ago, but today the picture seems 'painfully prophetic,' reflecting the suffering of ordinary people facing fear and uncertainty caused by the ongoing war. US rights are handled by CAA Media Finance, and international sales of 'Falling House' are represented by Paradise City Sales. Jane Loriotti, a sales representative for Paradise City Sales, noted that Mohsen Gharaei created 'a compelling, story-driven narrative that combines a true sense of urgency with surprisingly rich and multilayered characters.' She also emphasized that the company was impressed by 'the film's escalating tension, its emotional depth, and the outstanding performances, especially among the female cast.'