FILM FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

20TH CIRCUIT SUSPECTS - متهمین دایره بیستم

Directed by Hesam Eslami • 2017 • Iran
After having his car stolen, the director meets Ehsan, the leader of an adolescent crime gang that breaks into cars regularly. What forms is a close relationship between the director and the members of the group, following their steps for six whole years. The film gives an intimate look into Ehsan and the gang’s life by documenting thefts, wild chases, running from the police, imprisonment, release and, ultimately, the gang splitting up.

PLATFORM - صفر تا سکو

Directed by Sahar Mosayebi • 2021 • Iran
A Rocky-esque tale of determination and grit, Platform follows three Iranian sisters as they compete to become international champions of Wushu, a Chinese martial art. The sisters thrilling underdog story explores not only their dedicated training, but also their surprising place in society as they challenge traditional gender roles on the path to success.

IRANIAN - ایرانی

Directed by Mehran Tamadon • 2014 • Iran
An atheist, Iranian filmmaker Mehran Tamadon managed to convince four mullahs, all believers in the Islamic Republic of Iran, to come and stay with him for two days and engage in discussion. In this confined space, daily life is combined with debate, an unremitting demonstration of the problematic issue of how to live together, when each side’s understanding of the world is so contrary.

I WANT TO BE A KING - می‌خواهم شاه باشم

Directed by Mehdi Ganji • 2015 • Iran
Abbas has a dream: a dream that one day, he will be king of a tribe that will be revered by people the world over. The trouble is, he’s got a pretty busy day job. After two German tourists stumbled into his hut in nomadic Iran and left having much enjoyed the hospitality, he began an eco-tourism business that a decade later is thriving. But Abbas is convinced that his destiny lies in establishing his tribe, and is spending more and more time trying to realize his vision – including taking a second wife to be queen. Unfortunately for Abbas, his bitter and hardworking first wife and kids – who keep his business running smoothly – are not at all on board with his plan. Single-minded in his focus, garrulous, stubborn, self-absorbed, and emotional, Abbas is on the verge of big change – and begins confessing all to director Mehdi Ganji.

NARROW RED LINE - خط باریک قرمز

Directed by Farzad Khoshdast • 2020 • Iran
In a bleak Iranian Juvenile Rehabilitation and Correction Centre, a group of teenage delinquents and juvenile defenders decide to put on a stage show that will allow them to leave the prison for a day. With the help of professional actors Farhad Aslany and Toomaj Danesh Behzadi, these young men rehearse, apply stage make-up, wear masks and costumes, and use the stage to tell their stories. Through art they experience a different kind of freedom. They ask for forgiveness on stage, telling the audience that everyone makes mistakes. The only thing separating them from the audience is the narrow red line they cannot cross. Narrow Red Line won the NETPAC Jury Prize at the 2019 Fajr International Film Festival where it also had its world premiere.