New Iranian Directors Make Unusual Films: American Critic

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 IFP 

American film critic Deborah Young says the new generation of Iranian filmmakers are more adventurous than the previous ones, and make more unusual films.

Young, a senior film critic at Hollywood Reporter, has long been acquainted with the Iranian cinema and watches Iranian films at various international festivals.

This year, she is among the special guests at the 37th International Fajr Film Festival, which is underway in Tehran.

What follows is a brief interview with Young:

Q: You have always been a supporter of the Iranian cinema. You watch Iranian films at various festivals. What do you think of the Iranian films you watched last year?

A: I think it was a great year. Young filmmakers from the new generation have emerged that I have not been acquainted with before. Your cinema is in a state of transformation. I think great filmmakers like Abbas Kiarostami have opened the way for young people, young filmmakers and new topics. Filmmakers do not repeat the same themes in their films. New young directors make films that are unusual and unconventional, and their works are a bit complicated. But I think they have more modern and up-to-date feelings and expressions.

Q: After Abbas Kiarostami’s death, how do you evaluate the Iranian cinema in recent years? Do you think the Iranian cinema has entered a new phase?

A: The Iranian cinema in its current state is attractive. There is no clear gap between the present and the past few years. In general, film industry has strong roots in Iran. In the new generation of Iranian cinema there is something that I have not seen in other countries.

Q: Who is your favourite actor from the new generation?

A: Navid Mohammadzadeh.

Q: There are a lot of anti-Trump comments in Hollywood, and Trump has many opponents. What do you think?

A: I can say that 90% of Hollywood is anti-Trump. I do not know why. I mean, the cinema is clearly an art form, and it brings all the artistic forms of people with different points of view together. There are people who have an independent outlook and are not looking for money. So there is no connection between these people and Trump.

Fajr Festival Great Chance to Watch Oriental Films: Italian Director

Italian director, screenwriter and actor Italo Spinelli believes that the focus of cinema is moving from the West to the East, and Iran’s Fajr International Film Festival is the best place to watch Oriental movies.

Spinelli believes that the festival is dedicated to Asian films and serves as a link between the cinema of Italy and the cinema of Asia.

Here is an interview conducted with the renowned Italian filmmaker:

Q: Have you participated in Fajr Festival before?

A: Yes. I have come here many times since 2000. I come to Iran for Fajr and Verite festivals. Fajr is a great and interesting festival that gives me the opportunity to watch and pick Iranian films.

Q: You must have seen a lot of Iranian films. What is your opinion about the Iranian cinema?

A: I think your cinema is one of the best ones in the world. It has a long history and high quality. There are good directors here.

I can make a huge list of my favourite Iranian directors, especially the contemporary ones. There are many great names such as Asghar Farhadi, Abbas Kiarostami and the young director Reza Dormishian. Iranian director’s films are very wonderful and they are very talented. It’s difficult to name them all.

The 37th Fajr International Film Festival was opened in the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday, April 17. A showcase for audiences for more than three decades, the Festival is hosting over 250 international guests from 58 countries.

163 features and shorts from 64 countries are screened at this year’s festival. 60 students from Iran and abroad also attend this year’s workshops called Talent Campus.

Presided over by award-winning writer and director Seyyed Reza Mirkarimi, the 37th Fajr International Film Festival runs until April 26.