Interest in Iran's cinema brings French director to Tehran

French film director Olivier Megaton has said his interest in Iranian cinema has been the biggest motive to take part at the 36th edition of the Fajr International Film Festival (FIff).

Megaton, mostly known for directing 'The Red Siren', 'Transporter 3', 'Colombiana', 'Taken 2' and 'Taken 3', talked about his interest in Iranian cinema during a press conference on April 21, 2018.

The French director, writer, and editor said despite cultural differences between Iran and France, the two countries are still bounded, noting nations could be friends despite the differences.

"I think it has changed. Some years ago the Cannes festival was more artistic, but now it is only about money, no young filmmaker can join the festival but here I see so many young and talented filmmakers showing their skills by their works. So this festival is more alive and active," Megaton said about FIff.

He also noted that once he had a project in China where everything was totally different from France. "So making these two cultures and cinema connected is a difficult mission. But artists always find a way to connect cultures and genres to each other. But some movies have universal themes or motifs, so all kinds of audiences from all over the world can enjoy them, he said in response to a question on how directors could be effective in making their country's cinema known internationally."

"I still insist on the differences of cultures. It is very difficult to have co-production," he said about Iranian and French cinemas, adding that some filmmakers such as Asghar Farhadi and Abbas Kiarostami have accomplished the mission of touching people's heart gratefully.

Established in 1982, the FIff celebrates cultural exchange, displays creative achievements of highly acclaimed cineastes and pays tribute to local and international films.

Since its establishment, the Fajr International Film Festival has played a vital role in the development of Iranian Cinema.

Supervised by Iran’s Ministry of Culture, the festival hosts veteran directors and new filmmakers from Iran and across the world every year.

Directed by Reza Mirkarimi, the 36th FIff has been slated for April 19-27, 2018, in the Iranian capital city of Tehran.

MG/MG