Winner of Busan’s top prize denounces US war on Iran

Majid Majidi, winner of the Best Film Award at the 31st edition of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), has denounced the US war on Iran.

The renowned Iranian filmmaker received the award on Thursday for his latest film ‘Midday Meal’.

Receiving the award, Majidi expressed his gratitude to the festival. He said it was an honor to receive such a huge prize on his first visit to Busan, adding that the energy came from the love of his late mother.

He dedicated the award to the “brave people of Iran” who are “still resisting oppression” and “never give up”.

Referring to economic sanctions imposed on Iran, the Iranian filmmaker said, “For 48 years, our people have been subjected to the harshest economic sanctions, to the extent that even access to medical assistance for treating children with cancer has been denied. Despite this, they have not surrendered.”

Majidi also referred to military attacks on Iran, saying, “You have all witnessed how, when they realized that the Iranian people would not surrender, they repeatedly subjected our country and cities to the most intense and brutal bombardments.”

He went on to describe the killing of children on the first day of the attacks, saying, “On the first day of the attack, 168 innocent children were torn apart, and the bodies of some of them were never found.”

Referring to attacks on homes, universities and residential areas, as well as the deaths of thousands of people, Majidi questioned why the Iranian people should have to pay such a price.

“What do you think our people’s crime is? They simply want to be independent, and we will stand firm to the very end. I wish for a future with no more war, full of peace, love, and friendship,” he added.

Winning the award, Majidi secured a direct entry for his film, which had its world premiere at the festival, for consideration at the upcoming Academy Awards.

Starting this year, the grand prize winner under the Busan Award competition section automatically gains qualification to submit for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards.

At the closing ceremony of the festival, jury president Zhang Yimou, Chinese filmmaking legend, praised ‘Midday Meal’ as the ideal film and noted that all seven jury members agreed unanimously on the selection. Buzz around Majidi’s movie had been building on the ground in Busan all week, with many predicting that it would take home the top prize.

The 31st BIFF was held in South Korea on October 6-15.

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