Cinema of post Islamic Revolution of Iran
Iran Cultural Centre presents yet another film festival with cinema of post Islamic Revolution of Iran from June 21 to 25 at the Iran Cultural Centre in Colombo.
The Verdict
The festival is comprised of selected movies from first generation of Iran filmmakers.
The list of films include ‘Mother’ at 6 pm on June 21, ‘Love Stricken’ at 6 pm on June 22, ‘Hamooon’ at 3 pm and ‘Leila’ at 6 pm on June 23, ‘Captain Khorshid’ at 3 pm and ‘The Banquet’ at 6 pm on June 24 and the final film ‘The Verdict’ at 6 pm on June 25.
‘Mother’ is a story about how a mother acts in the hardest parts of her, and her children’s lives.
Directed by Ali Hatami, this film is the 1989 Iranian drama film starring Rogheyeh Chehreh-Azad, Mohamad Ali Keshavarz and Farimah Farjami
The film progresses alonge two distinct but interwoven series of events. The first series involves young members of a family who have gathered round their old mother and revive their common childhood memories. the second line focusses on the old woman’s preparations for her last journey and her joyous cooperation in arranging for the ceremonies that are to be observed after her death.
‘Love-stricken’ is a 1992 Iranian historical drama film directed by Ali Hatami. The movie is mainly about some Iranian classical musicians in Ghajar era and their struggle to release their first Record which takes them on a journey to France. The film uses many notable Iranian actors and actresses including Amin Tarokh, Akbar Abdi, Saeed Poursamimi, Mohamad Ali Keshavarz, Jamshid Hashempour, Hamid Jebelli, Fathali Oveisi, Shahla Riahi, Leili Rashidi, Leila Hatami,and Anna Borkowska.
Love-stricken is in celebration and praise of Iranian music.
Directed by Dariush Mehrjui ‘Hamoon’ is a 1989 psychological drama movie directed by Dariush Mehrjui. The movie tells the story of a middle-class Iranian – Hamid Hamoun, played by Khosrow Shakibai – and his struggle after his femme fatal wife, Mahshid, played by Bita Farrahi, demands a divorce from him.
Middle-class Iranian businessman and Ph.D. candidate Hamid Hamoun (Khosro Shakibai) has a comfortable life with his wife, aspiring painter Mahshid (Bita Farrahi), although the two of them have been drifting apart as each focuses on his or her own interests. Hamoun is blindsided when Mahshid announces that she wants a divorce. This unexpected revelation causes him to spiral into a depression that manifests itself in surreal and increasingly violent hallucinations.
A 1996 Iranian film directed by Dariush Mehrjui ‘Leila’ is love story revolving a modern Iranian couple. Leila and Reza meet in a kind of celebration and fall for each other. Having discovered their love, they get married soon only to find out the infertility of Leila. That’s when Reza’s authoritative mother starts wheedling Leila to persuade Reza into second marriage for the sake of having a grandchild. Leila accepts at first but is unaware of her own strain threshold.
‘Captain Khorshid’ is directed by Nasser Taghvai and it is based on Ernest Hemingway’s 1937 novel To Have and Have Not, but it moves the setting from Cuba to the south of Iran and the shores of the Persian Gulf. All the events of the film are nationalized. It is considered one of the greatest Iranian films by critics.
Entrance for the festivcal is free of charge.
Compiled by
Susitha R. Fernbando
Liela
