‘Son-Mother’ to open Persian filmfest

Iranian-Czech feature ‘Son-Mother’ has been selected to open the 2020 edition of the Persian Film Festival in Australia.

Directed by Mahnaz Mohammadi, the film addresses the impact of tradition on the lives of women in present-day Iran, when a young widow is 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, 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,” 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.

Inaugurated in 2011, the Persian Film Festival emphasizes the richness of Iranian cinema and Persian-speaking filmmakers around the world.

The Persian-speaking films from directors around the world compete in three categories of Feature Films, Short Films, and Documentaries.

The 2020 edition of the Persian Film Festival is slated for December 3-6.

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MG/MG