‘Italy, Italy’ won’t pull off Fajr race: Director

Iranian director Kaveh Sabaqzadeh’s ‘Italy, Italy’ will stay in competition for Fajr Film Festival awards despite the rumors, the director says.

Sabaqzadeh told the media on Wednesday that “despite the rumors swirling around” his film, ‘Italy, Italy’ will stay the course, adding he has no intention whatsoever to quit competitions for a Fajr Film Festival Simorgh.

We, the cast and crew of the film, vigorously deny the rumor. We have not, and will not have such a decision to quit the festival's” competition section.

Every competition has winners and losers, the director said, adding, “We respect the festival and make any criticism and appeal at a later time.”

This comes as the jury for the latest edition of Fajr Festival has presented a nomination for Best Actress In a Leading Role Crystal Simorgh to Sara Bahrami for ‘Italy, Italy’.

The winners for 35 edition of Fajr Film Festival will be announced during a closing ceremony at Tehran’s Milad Tower on February 9.

AG/AG