Following the successful Norouz screening in which seven films grossed over $13 million in 55 days, seven new movies have hit cinemas across the country.
According to a review on multiple sources, the new films cover various genres including drama, comedy and thriller. Made by celebrated directors and with popular actors, they should keep cinema halls crowded as was the case during the Norouz screenings in the beginning of the new Iranian New Year (started March 21).
‘I’m Not Angry’ is a social drama directed by Reza Dormishian which is on the screens five years after production in 2013.
It was premiered at the 32nd Fajr Film Festival in 2014 and was the only Iranian film in the 64th Berlin International Film Festival the same year. However, its public screening permit was not issued by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance until recently because it strongly criticizes social and political conditions in the county.
In the film, Navid (played by Navid Mohammadzadeh), deprived of continuing higher studies because of his political activities and beliefs, is trying not to get angry while confronting the social maladies. He suffers immensely to make ends meet and not lose his love, Setareh (Baran Kosari).
Plasco Building Fire
‘Istanbul Junction’ by Mostafa Kiaei is also on the screens. It was among the viewers’ favorites at the 36th FFF. The drama thriller is about the fire in the iconic Plasco building last year.
Plasco was a 17-story high-rise landmark commercial building in Tehran that crumbled like a house of cards in January 2017 after a fire broke out. Twenty firefighters died fighting the inferno.
Bahram Radan, Mohsen Kiaei, Sahar Dowlatshahi, Rana Azadivar, Mahour Alvand, Mehdi Pakdel and Masoud Keramati are in the cast.
Mani Haqiqi’s “Pig” is having its domestic release after it made its debut at the 68th Berlinale in February.
The story of the black comedy centers on Hassan, a filmmaker, who thinks he is the best in the country but has problems making his new film. Meanwhile, there is a serial killer in the city murdering all famous film directors. When in social networks Hassan is named as the alleged killer, he has to think of a way to get the record straight and save himself.
The cast includes Hassan Majouni, Leila Hatami, Parinaz Izadyar, Leili Rashidi, Siamak Ansari and Ali Mosaffa.
Indo-Iran Production
Majid Majidi’s India-set ‘Beyond the Clouds’ which premiered at the 2017 BFI London Film Festival is now showing in local cinemas.
The director of Oscar-nominated ‘Children of Heaven’ has been widening his horizons and has shifted focus from his homeland with his first Hindi-language feature.
Starring Ishaan Khattar (brother of Hindi film star Shahid Kapoor) and Malavika Mohanan in the leading roles, and set in the slums of Mumbai, Majidi’s melodrama is the tale of a young boy who reunites with his estranged sister in time to become her lifeline after she is being jailed for attempted murder while defending herself from sexual assault.
‘Don’t Be Embarrassed’ is the first feature film by Reza Maqsoudi who won the debut film award at the 36th FFF.
The comedy narrates the story of a senior couple expecting a baby. The situation worsens when their son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchild, and neighbors learn about the pregnancy.
Ahmad Mehranfar, Shabnam Moqaddami, Sam Derakhshani, Shohreh Lorestani, Elnaz Habibi and Linda Kiani are in the cast.
Among Bestsellers
‘Texas’ directed by Masoud Atyabi is a comedy that is already considered a bestseller.
It is the story of two friends Sassan and Bahram. Sassan lives in Brazil. Bahram wants to join him but faces many challenges and adventures. Part of the film was shot in Brazil.
Hamid Farrokhnejad, Pejman Jamshidi and Sam Derakhshani are in the cast along with Brazilian actors Gabriela Petry and Adriano Toulouza.
‘Nostalgia Celebration’ by Pourya Azarbayjani is a drama with four different stories.
In the first story Jahan, a 32-year-old man, is dreaming of fame. In the second, Afsaneh and Reza, a middle-aged couple, are facing problems and difficulties in their life. Third story centers on Laleh and Kaveh who are waiting for the birth of their first child. In the last story, a young girl named Sara decides to live with a different identity.
The cast includes Saghar Ghana’at, Babak Hamidian, Mohsen Kiaei, Parivash Nazarieh, Pantea Panahiha, Mina Sadati and Behnam Tashakkor.
Public reception has been generally good for all the films. However, they shortage of cinema halls in the big cities remains a problem.
