Iranian cinema: highlights from past week

In a week brimming with new releases and updates, the Iranian cinema scene is filled with anticipation and excitement.

Here's a look at the latest developments:

1. Overview of upcoming comedy films awaiting release: Anticipating a box office boom

Comedy films have recently become a major revenue driver for cinemas, leading to a surge in new comedy productions.

Currently, several notable comedies are queued for release, each with the potential to shake up the box office thanks to the reputation of their directors and the presence of well-known comedy actors.

Notable upcoming titles include Soroush Sehat's ‘Breakfast with Giraffes’, Rambod Javan's ‘Pressure Cooker’, and Bahram Afshari's ‘Seventy Thirty’.

With renowned actors like Reza Attaran, Mohsen Tanabandeh, Navid Mohammadzadeh, Bahram Radan, Hamed Behdad, Pejman Jamshidi, Sahar Dolatshahi, and Houtan Shakiba involved, these films are expected to attract substantial attention.

According to Film News, the box office landscape has already shifted with the release of the comedy film ‘Money and Party’, directed by Saeed Soheili, and the warm reception it received.

2. ‘Freeloader’ to hit cinemas nationwide on September 5

The musical comedy ‘Freeloader’ is to be released in cinemas across the country on September 5.

Directed by Adel Tabrizi and produced by Abdollah Alikhani and Hossein Farahbakhsh, the film promises a unique and entertaining experience for audiences.

Featuring Hamed Behdad and Sahar Dolatshahi in the lead roles, ‘Freeloader’ is expected to captivate moviegoers with its distinctive and cheerful atmosphere.

The cast also includes Behrouz Alavi, Siavash Cheraghipour, Qodratollah Izadi, Manouchehr Azari, Giti Moini, Behzad Davari, Anoush Moazzami, with special appearances by Reza Babak and Shaqayeq Farahani.

3. ‘The Glass House’ starring Pantea Bahram to debut soon

After a long wait, ‘The Glass House’, directed by Amir Pourkian, is finally making its way to cinemas nationwide.

This intense drama about a pop singer’s personal life will be released next week, nearly three years after its initial production.

Produced by Amir Seyyedzadeh and funded by Yousef Banasaz, the film stars Amir Jafari, Shahab Mozaffari, Bahareh Kian-Afshar, Nima Shabannejad, Khatereh Asadi, and Pantea Bahram.

4. Fereydoun Jeyrani returns to filmmaking after six years

Fereydoun Jeyrani is making a comeback to filmmaking with his new project, ‘My Name is Mina’, after several years away from the industry.

The film has recently applied for a production permit. In case the production license is granted by the end of summer, the film may be featured at the 43rd Fajr Film Festival.

The romantic drama, written by Amir Arabi, aligns with Jeyrani’s popular style.

Arabi, known for his work on ‘Saadat Abad’, brings his experience to this new screenplay.

‘My Name is Mina’ is expected to enter pre-production soon, with filming likely to begin in the latter half of the year.

5. Masoud Dehnamaki seeks production license for ‘The Expelled 4’

Director Masoud Dehnamaki has applied for a production license for the fourth installment of ‘The Expelled’.

After a 14-year hiatus, Dehnamaki is returning to the franchise he previously directed.

The original trilogy was highly popular in the 2000s. The new film continues the story of Majid, a young thug from Tehran, who seeks to win the favor of a merchant named Mirza to marry his daughter.

The cast includes Kambiz Dirbaz, Akbar Abdi, Amin Hayaee, Mohammad-Reza Sharifinia, Arjang Amir-Fazli, and Ali Osivand, with additional appearances by well-known actors while retaining the original cast.