New Zealand film festival to screen ‘Just 6.5’

Iranian feature ‘Just 6.5’ (6.5 per Meter) has made it to the Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival.

According to the Iranian embassy in Wellington, Saeed Roustaee’s film has been selected as one of 79 feature films that will be screened at the festival.

The drama-thriller is the story of a veteran narcotics officer and his squad who search every corner of the capital as they hunt down the city’s largest drug kingpin, and the complications involved in their mission.

Roustaee’s second feature film was awarded the Best Editing and Best Sound as well as the Audience Award at the 37th Fajr Film Festival in Iran.

The film was also honored at the Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland.

Internationally acclaimed actor Peyman Maadi is joined by Navid Mohammadzadeh, Amir Jadidi, Parinaz Izadyar, and Farhad Aslani in making up the film’s main cast.

The New Zealand International Film Festival is “a national event to enhance the appreciation of, and engagement with, global art and culture by providing access to a diverse range of high-quality film”, the event’s website reads.

In 2020, the festival was rebranded Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival.

It will take place on July 24-August 2.

Due to the impact of the global pandemic COVID-19, the festival will be delivered online with limited screenings in cinemas and venues.

SQ/MG