‘Katyusha’ contends in US festival

Ali Atshani’s comedy ‘Katyusha’ has qualified for the semifinals of the 2019 Love International Film Festival (LIFF) in the US city of Los Angeles, CA.

Among the bestselling films in the Iranian box office during its screening period, the comedy is now being screened on an international level with the American Bright Film Productions handling its distribution.

The flick is about two men from polar opposite social classes who have to spend a few days together. Khalil, an Iranian war veteran known as “Khalil Katyusha” on Instagram and Arshia, a corny but wealthy young man begin to clash on various issues during the time they are together.

The screenplay for ‘Katyusha’ written by Ali Atshani and Mehdi Ali-Mirzaei based on an outline by Mehrab Ghasemkhani.

Hadi Hejazifar, Ahmad Mehranfar, Mitra Hajjar, Linda Kiani, Mehran Rajabi, Khashayar Rad, Bijan Banafshe-Khah, Arjang Amir-Fazli, Leila Otadi and Qasem Zare make up the bulk of the film’s cast.

Having appeared at the 2018 Crossover Film Festival in the US for its first international appearance, ‘Katyusha’ went on to appear at the Marietta International Film Festival, also in the US, as well as India’s Dadasaheb Phalke and Rajasthan International Film Festivals, winning the Best Film award at the 5th edition of the Rajasthan festival.

According to its website, LIFF seeks to “promote a week of love, peace, and healing through the art of cinema.”

The festival will be held September 18-21, 2019.

MB/FM