Durban Int’l Film Festival screens 2 Iranian documentaries

The 38th edition of the Durban International Film Festival has screened two Iranian documentaries.

‘Advantage’ (Avantaj) directed by Mohammad Kart and ‘Butterfly’ (Papeli) directed by Mehdi Zamanpour-Kiasari as well as Somayeh Zeraatkar are the two Iranian documentaries that went on screen at the South African festival. The Iranian films will compete with 36 films from other countries.

‘Butterfly’, also written and produced by Zamanpour Kiasari, was screened at Maharani Hotel on July 14.

Zamanpour Kiasari’s documentary shows the life of a family who lives deep in the forest on their own and does farming and cattle breeding for their living. 25 years ago the father of the family had a spinal cord injury due to an accident and is since nursed by his daughter and wife.

Zainab, the daughter of the family, has many suitors but her parents can in no way see her marry away.

‘Advantage’, also written by Kart and coproduced by Kart as well as Aban Askari, was screened at Maharani Hotel on July 15.

Kart’s documentary is about some homeless addicts who take shelter in a rehab centre to quit and get better

They have formed a football team, and in order to register their team among other clubs in Tehran, they must defeat Esteqlal Veterans which has once been the Asian champion. Now the Municipality has decided to close down the centre.

The 38th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is slated for July 13-23 in the coastal city of Durban in South Africa.

MG/MG