Houston Iranian Film Festival kicks off

The 25th Houston Iranian Film Festival has begun with the screening of popular films from Iran, including ‘Breath’ and ‘24 Frames’.

Iranian films ‘Breath’ directed and written by Narges Abyar as well as ’24 Frames’ by Abbas Kiarostami are two of the series of films screening at the 25th edition of the Houston Iranian Film Festival in the US state of Texas.

‘Breath’ is Iran’s Oscar submission for this year, which tells the story of a child’s fantasy world, as adapted by director Narges Abyar’s own novel. Moments of her life are featured amid the tumultuous backdrop of the Iraq-imposed war against Iran in 1980.

Famed late Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami’s ‘24 Frames’ is a response to the paintings and photographs that inspired him, prompted by the desire to hold the frame steady so as to watch each image come to life, each drama play on.

Other films to be screened at the festival include ‘Negar’ by Rambod Javan and ‘Ava’ by Sadaf Foroughi, among others.

A major theme in this year’s Houston film festival has emerged, that out of the half a dozen films being screened, four were directed by the writer or co-writer.

Films will be shown from January 19-February 3 in the US city of Houston.

The Houston Iranian Film Festival has over its 25-year span become very involved with Iranian art, both contemporary and historic.

AI/MMF