Shahab Hosseini reacts to cineastes Fajr withdrawal

Shahab Hosseini, star of ifilm’s ‘Zero Degree Turn’, has criticized the Iranian cineastes that left the 38th Fajr Film Festival (FFF).

“Every year, a large number of people and film lovers wait for the festival to arrive, and, as before, it has been part of the history of Iranian cinema, and like many world festivals it enjoys the support of public sectors,” Hosseini wrote on his social media page.

“Now a number of cineastes have decided to withdraw from the festival. I do respect their personal decisions; however, I have my own criticism. I believe this act will help foster dissension, while the society needs unity and solidarity more than any time these days,” he added.

Hosseini also noted that “This decision will even lead to a deep and perhaps irreparable division between the cineastes and their fans that would not be to the benefit of either side. And the idea that those who do not withdraw do not feel grieved and do not feel sympathy is quite wrong.”

He went on to write “The sacrifice of art and culture is no less of a disaster than any other. This festival can be turned into a memorial for those who were killed in the recent events to help remember their names. It can be a place to express feelings with the families of the victims.”

“Art and culture is the right of the people of any country, and can be influential at any time and under any circumstances,” he wrapped up.

A number of actors and filmmakers announced withdraw from the festival in sympathy with the families of the people killed following Ukrainian plane crash in Iran.

Born in 1974, Hosseini started hosting the TV show ‘Oxygen’ and then appeared in TV series such as ‘After the Rain’ in 2000.

His acting career took off with his performance in movies such as ‘The Fifth Reaction’ (2002) for which he was nominated for a Golden Statue from the Iran Cinema Celebration.

His outstanding performance in ‘Candle in the Wind’ (2003) saw him nominated for the Golden Statue for best actor in a supporting role from the Iran Cinema Celebration and a FFF's Crystal Simorgh.

In 2009, his outstanding performance in ‘Superstar’ won him a Crystal Simorgh from the FFF.

In 2011, he was a nominee for the Iran Cinema Celebration Golden Statue for his roles in ‘About Elly’ (2008) and ‘Wandering in the Mist’ (2009). At the Same time, he won the prestigious Silver Berlin Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for his memorable role in ‘A Separation’ (2010).

Hosseini has won the best actor award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival for his role in Asghar Farhadi’s ‘The Salesman’.

Starring and produced by Hosseini, ‘The Night’ will be screened in the official competition of the 38th FFF.

Established in 1982, the FFF is an event that celebrates cultural exchange, displays creative achievements of highly acclaimed cineastes and pays tribute to local and international films.Since its establishment, the FFF has played a vital role in the development of the 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.

The 38th FFF is set to kick off on February 1, 2020 and will run till February 11 in Tehran.

MG/AG