American filmmaker hails Fajr filmfest

An American filmmaker at the 35th Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) has praised Iranian Cinema and artists as global successes.

One of the guests at the FIFF this month is Godfrey Cheshire, an award-winning American film critic, journalist and filmmaker.

He has long hailed Iranian cinema in publications including the New York Times, Variety, Newsweek, Film Comment, Sight & Sound, Cineaste, Film International, and other publications.

“I think Iranian cinema has hit a lot of high marks since the late 1990s. It has bagged prizes at every major film festival. Asghar Farhadi has won two Oscars. Majid Majidi and Jafar Panahi also collected some prizes and some of their movies are very good,” the American filmmaker said.

Cheshire was among the first American critics to introduce the late Iranian auteur Abbas Kiarostami to the West, the public relations office of the FIFF confirmed.

“Many years ago I saw my first Kiarostami movie as part of the Iranian Film Festival in New York. There were many Iranian films… But Kiarostami’s ‘Close Up’ really stood out. It looked different and it was so fascinating. So that was the film that really intrigued me the most,” Cheshire noted.

The 35th edition of the Fajr International Film Festival is currently being held in the Iranian capital city of Tehran. The event paid tribute to Kiarostami for three days since the festival opened on April 21. This year’s event ends on April 28.

Over 350 foreign guests have come to Tehran to attend the 35th FIFF, including filmmakers, producers, actors, festival directors, movie critics and journalists. Almost all have expressed excitement with the different sections and programs.

AI/AI