As Oscars pile up, Iran film grows up: New York Times

New York Times has published a report on latest edition of Fajr International Film Festival, praising growth of Iran cinema.

As the fest wrapped up just a while back, US daily New York Times released a piece on the event held in Iran with the title, “As Oscars pile up, Iran film grows up”.

The report described the venue for Fajr International Film Festival as “a modern shopping center in downtown Tehran,” adding, people could enjoy a visit to Cinema Museum of Iran as well as a French art collection by the Louvre.

Some international guests also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Iran-Iraq war.

“Unlike Hollywood, where movie stars walk the red carpet and wave to their fans from behind velvet ropes, the stars of Iranian cinema mingled freely with ordinary people at the festival,” the report compared Iranian style of stardom with Hollywood.

The piece said of the event that “the festival has grown more independent,” highlighting the role of international prizes for Iranian films, including two recent Oscars” in such growth.

American writer and director Oliver Stone popped up in the report as one of the event’s guests.

Established in 1982, the FIff celebrates cultural exchange, displays creative achievements of highly acclaimed cineastes and pays tribute to local and international films.

Since its establishment, the Fajr International Film Festival has played a vital role in the development of Iranian Cinema.

Supervised by Iran’s Ministry of Culture, the festival hosts veteran directors and new filmmakers from Iran and across the world every year.

Directed by Reza Mirkarimi, the 36th FIff was held April in the Iranian capital city of Tehran.

AG/AG