Fajr announces list of contemporary comedies to screen

Lineup of contemporary comedies to screen at the 2019 Fajr International Film Festival has been announced.

A number of seven international comedies have been announced by the Iranian film festival to screen at the ‘Focus on Contemporary Comedies’ section of the 37th edition of the respective film event.

First on the list is ‘I’m Back’ directed by Luca Miniero which is an Italian title.

The film shows a world in which Benito Mussolini comes back to life and is mistaken for an impersonator. 

Number two is Paolo Zucca’s ‘The Man Who Bought the Moon’. The film which is a joint production of Italy, Albania and Argentina is about an unidentified man living in Sardinia is the real owner of the moon. A Sardinia-born secret agent is sent into the island to investigate the situation. Though the agent really was born in Sardinia, he has since lost all characteristics of a Sardinian, and must get private lessons to learn what it is to be a Sardinian.

Next is an English Uruguayan film named ‘Don’t Cry for Me’ directed by Nestor Montalbano.

A brief synopsis of the film reads, “In 1806, in the mist of the British invasion of Buenos Aires, football is introduced. A merchant of the time sees in this sport a unique business opportunity and in the process awakens a passion so great that it can replace the war.”

Another attending title is ‘Becassine!’ by Bruno Polalydes. The French film narrates the story of Bécassine, a poor woman, who finds work as a nanny with the Marquise de Grand-Air who has recently adopted a lovely baby named Loulotte. A strong bond develops between Becassine and Loulotte, and life is sweet, until the Grand-Airs are threatened with financial ruin.

The fifth on the list is the Cypriot title ‘Smuggling Hendrix’ directed by Marios Piperides.

The film synopsis reads, “On the verge of parting with his country to find a better life overseas, a musician loses his dog as the animal crosses the border. The poor man must now try to smuggle the dog back into the country.”

The penultimate film is ‘Lajko-Gypsy in Space’ by Balazs Lengyel from Hungary.

The film is a dark comedy about the first man named Lajko who ever stepped into space.

And finally, Sonke Wortmann’s ‘How about Adolf?’ is a German film about a young couple who are expecting their first born decide to name their unborn baby Adolf. The decision startles all their family members and friends.

Established in 1982, the FIFF is an event that celebrates cultural exchange, displays creative achievements of highly acclaimed cineastes and pays tribute to local and international films.

Supervised by Iran’s Ministry of Culture, the festival hosts veteran directors and new filmmakers from Iran and across the world every year.

The 37th edition of the Iranian film event will screen films in 9 categories, some of which are International Competition, Eastern Vista, Festival of Festivals, Popular Genre Films and Burn Olives which is a window to the changes in the world of Islam today.

AA/FM