Belgian Special Mention bestowed on Iran’s ‘Zalava’

The 2022 Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) in Belgium has bestowed the Special Mention award upon Iranian feature film ‘Zalava’.

Arsalan Amiri’s directorial experience received the award at the Emerging Raven Competition Section of the 40th edition of the event.

LevelK Company in Denmark owns the international screening rights of the film.

The movie narrates an imaginary story in an imaginary land with imaginary people in the 70s.

The inter-genre film narrates the tale of people’s fear of an unknown phenomenon and their efforts to bring back security to the region.

A synopsis for ‘Zalava’ reads, “When a village claims to be cursed by a demon, a gendarmerie sergeant attempts to denounce the exorcist in charge, whom he believes is nothing but a fraud.

Last year, the film won the grand prize at the 36th Venice International Film Critics’ Week.

The Venice jury praised Amiri’s “fresh talent” and his “playful cinematic language” and the film’s clear call against “superstition and ignorance.”

It is also the recipient of the award for best directorial debut at the 39th Fajr Film Festival in Tehran.

The BIFFF offers more than just horror movies. It is first and foremost a genre film festival that is open-minded, and offers a great deal of variety.

Its program serves up thrillers, science fiction films, fantasy films, black comedies, action films, as well as many other genres.

This year’s edition of the festival was held on August 29 – September 8.

MM/FM