Iranian director Reza Mirkarimi to make 'Qasr-e Shirin'

Iranian director of award-winning ‘Daughter’, Reza Mirkarimi, has planned to start shooting his new project 'Qasr-e Shirin' in autumn.

Mohammad Davudi and Mohsen Qarai have written the screenplay based on a plot by Mirkarimi.

To be filmed on locations in the southwestern Iranian city of Yasuj, the director is currently in the city to hire some local actors as the cast.

He has recently held talks with Hadi Hejazifar, the star of 'Standing in the Dust' and 'Damascus Time, to have him in the cast.

Born in 1966, Mirkarimi graduated in Graphic Arts from Tehran University’s Faculty of Fine Arts.

He began his career in 1987 with a 16mm short film named ‘For Him’ followed by another 16mm production ‘A Rainy Day’ and a 35mm ‘A Rooster’.

He has also made television series such as ‘The Adventures of Mrs. Aziz’ and ‘Hemmat School Kids’.

His first feature film ‘The Child and the Soldier’ received several domestic and international awards, including a Silver Balloon Award from the Nantes Three Continents Festival, a Golden Shoe from the Children and Teenagers Festival in Zelin and a Golden Butterfly from the Children and Teenagers Film Festival in Isfahan.

‘Under the Moonlight’ won him a Fajr Film Festival Crystal Simorgh, the Cannes Festival Critics Award for the Best Film and Special Jury Prize from the Tokyo Film Festival for Best Director.

Mirkarimi’s third feature film, ‘Here a Shining Light’ which addresses religious and social issues received Crystal Simorghs for Best Director, Best Cinematography and the Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2002.

‘So Close, So Far’ was Mirkarimi’s fourth feature film that won Crystal Simorghs for the Best Picture and Best Cinematographer and was chosen to represent Iran at the annual Academy Awards.

‘As Simple as That’ received Crystal Simorghs for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Picture and Best Actress in a Leading Role. The movie also received a Golden St. George at the Moscow International Film Festival and received the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Sofia International Film Festival.

‘A Cube of Sugar’, ‘Today’, and ‘Daughter’ are his latest movies.

Mirkarimi’s ‘Daughter’ was nominated for the Best Film and the Best Director awards at the 34th edition of Fajr Film Festival.

The drama also scooped awards for best film and best actor at the 38th Moscow International Film Festival in 2016.

In addition to directing he has some experience in writing, producing and editing.

 MG/MF