Cinema expert admires culture, literature in Iranian Cinema

The artistic director of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) has expressed admiration for Iranian ancient culture and the vast knowledge of literature, poetry, and art inherent in storytelling and filmmaking.

Talking to media on the sidelines of the 35th Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) on Monday, APSA artistic director Maxine Williamson said, “The love for their culture and literature is well reflected in the films produced by Iranian moviemakers.”

She also expressed respect for the human aspect as well as addressed the spiritual and humanistic issues in Iranian Cinema as one of its most important features.

“Iranian cinema portrays social drama and human problems in a social realism context,” Williamson added.

The APSA artistic director said that she followed Iranian cinema for some 20 years, adding that many young and new Iranian directors are joining the field of cinema more or less every day.

She also said that she can select good Iranian movies and films during her stay in Iran to go on screen at the Asia Pacific Screen Award.

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards is held annually to admire and support the films, actors, directors, and cultures of the Asia-Pacific region. Iranian Cinema has had full participation since its foundation.

Established in 1982, the Fajr International Film Festival 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.

The 35th FIFF is slated for April 21-28 in Tehran.

MG/AI