Tuesday February 6, 2018 10:523241

10 Iran films to watch at least once– Part 7

Films have the capability to usher viewers into customs and traditions of a country as well as how people in a locality think.

10 Iran films to watch at least once– Part 7

Films have the capability to usher viewers into customs and traditions of a country as well as how people in a locality think.

Focusing on the country’s social and cultural issues, Iranian Cinema has taken the limelight in many international film festivals. Read on to discover ten must-see Iranian films at least once in a lifetime.

7) ‘Fish & Cat’ (2013)

Inspired by the true story of a provincial restaurant that served human flesh, ‘Fish & Cat’ is about a group of university students attending a lakeside kite-running competition and three middle-aged cooks eyeing the young flesh on offer.

This mystery drama slasher Iranian feature by Shahram Mokri is filmed in one long, bravura shot trapping viewers in an increasingly ominous, often repetitive nightmare.

Mokri's highly original single-take slasher made an international splash after scooping the 2013 Venice fest’s special prize for innovative content firmly establishing Mokri’s rep as a distinctive talent.

Scoring multiple nods on the international fest circuit, the film could also win the FIPRESCI award in 2014 Fribourg International Film Festival.

In September 2015, ‘Fish & Cat’ was shortlisted for Iran's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards.

Steve MacFarlane from Slant Magazine wrote: "The film is a game: Shahram Mokri challenges his viewers to grip parallel narrative threads in what feels like suspiciously real time, rather than to assemble or contextualize any metaphorical ones."

MM/ MF