Iran’s ‘Son-Mother’ to vie at Hong Kong filmfest

The 45th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF45) has been scheduled to host Iranian movie ‘Son-Mother’.

Directed by Mahnaz Mohammadi, the film addresses the impact of tradition on the lives of women in present-day Iran, following a young widow faced with the choice to either abandon her son or succumb to poverty.

‘Son-Mother’ is about a widow who works tirelessly at a failing factory in Iran.

She receives a marriage proposal that could mean financial security — but could also tear her family apart.

The movie won awards for best film and best director at the Alice Nella Citta section of the 14th International Rome Film Festival in Italy.

It has gone on screen at a number of global events, including the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada, the Zlin Film Festival and the Prague International Film Festival, both in the Czech Republic, the Göteborg Film Festival in Sweden, the Films from the South Festival in Norway, and the Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland.

“Leila does not really have a choice. Ever since her husband died, she had to take care of her 12-year-old son Amir and his little sister on her own, and provide ... income without support. In addition, the Iranian economy, her free spirit, and the daily gossip could make her lose her factory job at any time. When the lovable, widowed bus driver Kazem proposes to her, she and her son are faced with making a serious decision – because this new marriage is tied to an impossible condition,” the website of the Zurich Film Festival wrote about the 102-minute ‘Son-Mother’.

The main roles in the flick have been played by Raha Khodayari, Mahan Nasiri, Reza Behboudi, Maryam Boubani, and Shiva Ordouee.

Founded in 1976, the HKIFF45 is Asia’s oldest international film festival and a pioneer in introducing Hong Kong, Chinese language and Asian cinema and filmmakers to the world.

The 45th edition of the HKIFF is slated for April 1-12, 2021.

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MG/AG