Dresden fest awards ‘Crab’ and ‘May She RIP’ from Iran

The 33rd edition of the Dresden International Short Film Festival in Germany has awarded two short films from Iran.

Directed by Nazgol Kashani, ‘May She RIP’ won ARTE Short Film Prize at the National & International Competition section of the event, the organizers announced on Saturday.

Describing the Iranian flick, the jury of the German fest wrote, “A film with much humor and sensitivity, which reminds us that the class struggle continues to provide highly powerful substance.”

Made by Shiva Sadeq-Asadi, ‘Crab’ received Golden Horseman of the Audience at the International Competition section and Special Mention from the International Competition Youth Jury.

Describing the Iranian flick, the jury of the German fest wrote, “Gloomy and traumatic, yet still lively despite that. A child's emotions, and especially its fears, are accentuated brilliantly through the dramatic music and menacing visual language. The composition has an extremely powerful impact, affecting the audience deeply.”

A co-production between Iran and Germany, ‘May She RIP’ shows the social status of a former bourgeois family is in decline. The family’s preoccupation with their socio-economic identity continues even into death, as they decide what the best burial plot is for their aunt.

The 11-minute ‘Crab’ is about a reserved and isolated schoolboy who is a theater enthusiast. Regardless of his emotional situation, he wishes to play a role in the theater group of his school. But the only part offered to him is the role of a crab.

Produced by Iran’s Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, ‘Crab’ took part in a number of global events, including the Fest Anča International Animation Festival in Slovakia, the Anifilm festival in the Czech Republic, the Animatricks International Animation Festival in Finland, the Créteil International Women's Film Festival in France, the Atlanta Film Festival, the Bilbao International Festival of Documentary and Short Films in Spain, the Animest International Animation Film Festival in Romania, and the Shanghai International Film Festival in China, where it was nominated for the Golden Goblet Award.

Founded in 1989,‌ the Dresden filmfest focuses on short film in all its facets, and has become one of the most important festivals of its kind throughout Germany.

The short film festival is also one of the best endowed short film festivals in Europe with prizes and awards worth more than €60,000.

This year, the event was held on July 13-18, 2021.

MG/MG