Preview of 42nd Fajr Int’l Film Festival's contenders – Part 3

As the 42nd Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) approaches, cinephiles eagerly await the cinematic gems to grace the screen from February 1 to 11, 2024.

Among the much-anticipated contenders, iFilm English delves into the third part of the 22 films selected for the main competition section ‘Sodaye-Simorgh’.

Let's embark on a preview of the compelling films, offering a glimpse into the stories that will unfold at this year's festival.

14. ‘Passion of Love’: Daryoush Yari's historical narration of Ashura

‘Passion of Love’ is a historical film narrating the Ashura event. Jointly produced by the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs and Farabi Cinema Foundation, the film stands as a unique historical offering at the Fajr Film Festival.

Starring Mehdi Zaminpardaz, Payam Ahmadinia, Nader Fallah, Alireza Ostadi, and Siamak Safari, the movie provides a distinctive perspective on the timeless event of Ashura.  

15. 'The Morning of Execution'

Behrouz Afkhami ends his 10-year directorial hiatus with the tale of Tayyeb Haj-Rezaee.

Delving into the lives of key figures on the path of the Islamic Revolution and the execution of Tayyeb Haj-Rezaee, the film stars Masoud Sharif, Arastou Khoshrazm, Davoud Fathalibeigi, Mehrdad Niknam, Pouria Monjezi, Mohsen Avari, Kaveh Darabi, and Fariba Azarshab.

Khoshrazm portrays Haj Esmaeel Rezaee, while Masoud Sharif takes on the role of Tayyeb.

16. 'Breakfast with Giraffes'

'Breakfast with Giraffes' is Soroush Sehhat's second Fajr Film Festival appearance, after 'Dance with Me'. The cast list of star-studded film includes Bahram Radan, Houtan Shakiba, Pejman Jamshidi, Hadi Hejazifar, and Bijan Banafsheh-Khah.

17. 'Heart of Raqqa'

Kheirollah Taqianipour's film, produced by Saeed Parvini for the Farabi Cinema Foundation, explores the resistance front in Syria.

The cast list includes Farhad Qaemian, Mohammad-Reza Sharifinia, Hedayat Hashemi, Abdolreza Nasseri, Mostafa Sassani, and Shadi Mokhtari.

Qaemian portrays one of Iran's military advisers in Syria, showcasing Taqianipour's dual focus on resistance and security film genres.

18. 'About Majnoon'

Directed by Mehdi Shamohammadi and produced by Owj Arts and Media Organization, the film unravels the life story of martyr Mehdi Zeinoddin during the Holy Defense (the 1980s Iraq-Iran war).

The cast list includes Sajjad Babaee, Hessam Manzour, Behzad Khalaj, and Shabnam Qorbani.

Babaee, portraying Zeinoddin, secured the Best Supporting Actor award at the previous edition of the Fajr Film Festival.

19. ‘Parvin’s Miracle’

This biographical film on the contemporary Persian poet Parvin Etesami is directed by Mohammad-Reza Varzi and produced by Mohammad-Reza Sharifinia.

The cast list includes Azita Hajian, Mohammad-Reza Sharifinia, Maral Bani-Adam, Hossein Pakdel, Melika Sharifinia, Sam Nouri, Farzad Hassani, and Ramin Nasser-Nassir.

20. ‘Meyro’

‘Meyro’ is Hossein Rigi's second consecutive appearance at the Fajr Film Festival. The film, narrated in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province, mirrors the form of his previous work 'Hook'.

Produced by Saeed Elahi and funded by the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs and Farabi Foundation, the cast list includes Amir-Reza Delavari, Soudabeh Beyzaee, and Hamid Ebrahimi.

21. ‘Your Absence’

This romantic drama marks Kaveh Sajjadi-Hosseini return after a 3-year hiatus with his fourth feature film.

Previously worked with Asghar Farhadi, his last appearance at the Fajr Film Festival was with 'Buffalo'. 

The cast list includes Sahar Dolatshahi, Azadeh Samadi, Reza Behboudhi, and Amir Aqaee.

22. ‘Neptune’

Directed by Mohammad-Ebrahim Qaffarian, the film's production started by Mehdi Vedadi and ended with Siavash Aminpour.

Starring Armin Rahimian, Behdokht Valian, Masoud Keramati, Ida Mahini, Behnaz Jafari, Amin Miri, and Neda Aqiqi, the film revolves around a couple who neglect their child due to being busy at work; and it leads into some unforeseen consequences.

Read more:

Preview of 42nd Fajr Int’l Film Festival's contenders – Part 1

Preview of 42nd Fajr Int’l Film Festival's contenders – Part 2

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