‘Malaria’ wins awards at Russia festival

The Iranian film ‘Malaria’ directed by Parviz Shahbazi has won two awards from an international film festival in Russia.

‘Malaria’ won two awards including best film during the closing ceremony of the 10th edition of the East and West, Classics and Avant-Garde International Film Festival in the Russian city of Orenburg, which was held from August 25 to 31.

Iranian actress Saghar Qanaat won the festival’s best female actor awards.

During the closing ceremony, the film’s producer, Massoud Radaei, thanked the festival's head and its colleagues as well as the panel of judges.

He also dedicated the award to Iranian hero martyr Mohsen Hojaji, adding that “The true winner and hero are peaceful peoples of my country, Iran, and the youth.”

‘Malaria’, Shahbazi’s third cinematic work about Iranian youth, after ‘Deep Breath’ and ‘Trapped’, tells the story of a young woman who elopes with her boyfriend to spend time in the company of a band of street musicians.

Afterwards, she plans to hoodwink her family by claiming that she has been kidnapped and wants them to promptly send ransom money.

The film stars Saghar Qanaat, Saed Soheili, Azarakhsh Farahani and Azadeh Namdari.

The Iranian feature film made its first international premier at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival in Italy.

Malaria’ was also screened at various festivals including Busan International Film Festival in South Korea and the 52nd edition of the Chicago International Film Festival in the US.

AI/MMF