FIFF reveals Iranian documentary lineup

The 37th edition of the Fajr International Film Festival has named five Iranian documentaries to participate at the section of ‘Docs in Focus’.

‘Baharestan House of Nation’ made by Babak Behdad is one of the films set to be featured in the section.

The documentary reviews “the historical and social geography of the Baherestan district in Tehran.”

Directed by Behzad Nalbandi, ‘The Unseen’ was also named as one of the films in the lineup.

“As part of a beautification process, local officials in Tehran decide to round up unsavory characters such as drug addicts. Men are usually released after a few days, but women are sent to a center on the outskirts of the city where social workers keep no records of the presence of these homeless women,” a synopsis for the film reads.

The lineup also includes Farzad Khoshdast’s ‘The Narrow Red Line’ which tells the story of a criminal gang that decides to play on stage with the help of mentors in order to spend a day out of prison.

‘None of Your Business’ directed by Kamran Heidari-Orojloo has also been selected by the FIFF to be featured in the program.

The documentary tells the story of “the life and death of Ebrahim Monsefi, mostly known as Ebram, a popular guitar player, singer and poet in southern Iran.” He was born about 70 years ago in Bandar Abbas and passed away at his 50s. It is not yet known whether he committed suicide or died a natural death.

The fifth film participating at ‘Docs in Focus’ is ‘Mahin’ made by Mohammad-Hossein Heydari which narrates the story of Mahin Qadiri, the first female serial killer in Iran.

Earlier, the festival organizers named nine foreign films to vie at the ‘Docs in Focus’ section.

Read more:

Fajr Int'l Fest updates international docs

Headed by Iranian filmmaker Reza Mirkarimi, the 37th FIFF will be held in the capital, Tehran, on April 18-26, 2019.

A national version of the festival kicked off on January 30 and wrapped up on February 11.

Since its establishment in 1982, the festival has played a vital role in the development of Iranian Cinema.

SQ/MG