Exclusive: 35th Fajr Film Festival, Day 8

ifilm’s exclusive report from the 8th day of the 35th Fajr Film Festival.

Mohammadreza Ghaffari, actor: My last experience with Mr. Alimardani on the set of ‘Binam Alley’ was really pleasant. It was one of the very good movies I’ve been in.

The structure of the movie ‘Abajan’ is interesting to me. It revolves around the life of a family in the 80s. Witnessing their happiness, sadness, the war, everything was pleasant.

Hatef Alimardani, director: It’s not an autobiography at all. I’ve never experienced these circumstances in my life except just one. I just lived during those years. I didn’t know those people and that social class. They’ve all come from my imagination. Abajan was the name I would call my grandmother. Abajan was a familiar name to me based on which I wrote the story.

Shabnam Moqaddami, actress: Actually, it’s always been interesting to me to learn another language and culture in another region. But we have to see if I’ve been successful enough or not at making it work out.

Habib Ilbeigi, Evaluation Deputy of Cinema Organization: Hello to you and ifilm’s audiences. I’ve always been at the festivals; there are always ups and downs. I think this year’s festival has introduced good movies to Iran’s cinema history. This festival is for the celebration of the victory of the Islamic Revolution and fortunately our filmmakers try their best throughout the year to warm up this celebration. When a movie is introduced to the festival, if it’s is a good movie and people like it, it’s a great promotion and people made aware of it.

One of the reasons movies take part and compete in the festival is the importance of how we introduce and unveil movies. Many movies of the festival don’t have the conditions to be screened. Not having the condition is different from having banned. Festivals have a more artistic atmosphere than the cinema halls when they are screened.

FM/HY