So Close, So Far – a Season of Iranian Film

So Close, So Far – a Season of Iranian Film

In a special collaboration between the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran and the Wellington City Council, the New Zealand Film Archive is pleased to present a selection of outstanding films produced in Iran in recent years. On the first Thursday of every month for the next five months, an Iranian film will be shown at the Film Archive on the corner of Taranaki and Ghuznee Sts, at 7pm for FREE.

The Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran is very excited about the opportunity of presenting this selection of Iranian films to the people of Wellington saying cinema has unique capacity to introduce a society’s history and culture and can also extend mutual understanding among societies. As Iranian films address humanitarian subjects, they are very popular in the world.

The Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran points out that Iranian films have won many international awards in film festivals including De Cannes, Locarno, and Toronto. We hope to familiarise the culturally-wise people of Wellington with Iranian society and culture. However, this selection cannot be a thorough mirror to represent the Iranian ancient history and culture completely; it can open a window to Iranian humanistic interests and spirit. The Embassy hopes screening of these films can help develop ties between the two countries.

Cinema Programme Manager at the Film Archive Diane Pivac says this series presents Wellingtonians with a brilliant opportunity to learn more about a culture New Zealanders know very little about.

“This season shows one and all that ultimately the lives of everyday people are the same, no matter what race, religion or location in the world. My personal highlight from this line-up is the film Mama’s Guest which opens the line-up on 2 October and I’d encourage everyone to take advantage of this window into the wonderful world of Iran.”

SO CLOSE SO FAR SEASON SCREENING DETAILS:

2 October 2008
Mama’s Guest (Mehman-e maman), Iran, 2004, 107 minutes, in Farsi with English subtitles, PG-contains coarse language

Iranian New Wave cinema icon Dariush Mehrjui crafts an artful tale with beguiling skill and mastery.

6 November 2008
Fireworks Wednesday (Chaharshanbe-soori), Iran, 2006, 104 minutes, in Farsi with English subtitles, M-contains violence & offensive language

A shrewd, crisply paced tale of adultery in modern Iranian life, an engaging film that peeks inside a hidden world and operates successfully on a number of dramatic levels.

22 January 2009
The Fifth Reaction (Vakonesh Panjom), Iran, 2003,106 minutes, In Farsi with English subtitles, M

The conflict between traditional and modern values in Tehran is played out amidst a custody battle for two young boys.

5 Feburary 2009
So Close, So Far (Kheili Dour, Kheili Nazdik), Iran, 2005, 116 minutes, in Farsi with English subtitles, rating TBC

A tale of two Irans — one modern and secular, the other ancient and religious

5 March 2009
The Wind Carpet (Kaze no jutan), Iran, 2003, 111 minutes, rating TBC

Ten-year-old Sakura (Miyu Yagyu) travels with her father Makoto (Takaaki Enoki) from Japan, to Isfahan, Iran, to pick up a Persian carpet designed by her late mother.

ENDS

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