Shanghai film festival to host ‘Parting’

The 20th edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival (SSIF) in China has invited Navid Mahmoudi’s latest film ‘Parting’ to join the event.

The festival is to screen the Iranian flick at The Belt and Road category which is a part of Panorama section of the SIFF.

Narrating the story of suffering, the movie was introduced as the representative of Afghanistan to the 89th edition of the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

The movie has also gone on screen at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea in October 2016 as well as the 21st edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala in India.

‘Parting’ tells the story of two young Afghans in love, Nabi and Fereshteh. Fereshteh leaves the country with her parents to seek refuge in Iran and Nabi is to seek a better life for his love. The love story fluctuates between reaching and separation.

Previously won the award for best director at Busan International Film Festival, it will be the 29th international screening of ‘Parting’.

Although the event’s official website has given Afghanistan as the country of origin for ‘Parting’, it is a joint production of Iran and Afghanistan.

Talking to the SIFF website, Mahmoudi said “The dangers engendered by Islamic State and the Taliban are omnipresent. In countries menaced by these groups people seek a better life by migrating, despite the fact that many lose their lives en route. My brother, Jamshid, and I have tried to portray their difficult passage.”

Founded in 1993, SIFF as the only competitive film festival in China approved by FIAPF has focused on awards, markets, forums and film exhibitions so as to build an international platform, and promote the development of the Chinese film industry.

The 20th edition of SIFF is slated for June 17-26, 2017.

MG/MMF