Film Week 2024 was organized to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Iran and Vietnam
Hanoi
Iran Film Week 2024, was organized from January 10 – 14 at the National Cinema Center here to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Iran and Vietnam.
Five Iranian films were screened during the 5-day event, co-organized by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization and the Embassy of Iran. The opening film of this year’s Film Week was “So Close, So Far” by director Reza Mirkarimi, which tells the story of the famous Iranian brain and neurologist Dr. Mahmoud Alam and his beloved son. He discovers his child has a brain tumor and decides to make the trip across the desert to see him. This trip teaches the doctor meaningful things about life and faith.
The film won a Crystal Simorgh for Best Film at the 23rd Fajr International Film Festival in 2005 and was Iran’s representative for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars that same year.
Another film in the same genre is “Crazy Rook”, which follows a group of friends who met through social media and got caught up in a criminal case. Solving the case brings a new understanding of life and society to each group member. The film won Crystal Simorghs for Best Film and Best Director at the 33rd Fajr International Film Festival.
The third film in the program was “Where Are My Shoes?”, about an elderly factory owner who has Alzheimer’s. Years after Habib was abandoned by his family, his life turned upside down just as his daughter returned to Iran to reconnect with him.
The animated film “Loupetoo” tells the story of Dr. Kamali, the owner of a sanitarium who treats his patients by teaching them to make toys. When the toy workshop is sabotaged, Dr. Kamali’s young son, Ali, helps his father restore operations.
Also read: Iran: A Cinematographic Revolution
In the last film, another animation entitled “Mobarak” to be screened today January 14, an old storyteller uses dolls based on Shahnameh’s epic poem’s characters to tell his stories. After Essi Palang, the owner of the toy store, steals the dolls, they come to life and join Golpari, the daughter of the storyteller, in a funny adventure.
Iranian cinema has achieved significant success despite limited funding and harsh censorship laws. The number of films produced every year is very small, but with talented directors and actors, Iranian films are recognized and appreciated around the world, winning many international awards.
Iranian films often revolve around seemingly simple stories but contain philosophical values.
The five films were presented in their original version, with Vietnamese and English subtitles.
The organizer believes that the film week will open an excellent window to learn about Iran and better understand how good moral characteristics like kindness, modesty, tolerance, and piety are passed from generation to generation in Iran.
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