The whole world has been watching the recent turmoil in Iran and the struggle of the Iranian people protesting against the regime. The Iranian film Bist (Twenty) which has been chosen for the main competition is a mirror that reflects life in Iran through a story of a wedding and mourning hall and life and destiny of its employees in 20 days. My personal tribute goes to the director Abdolreza Kahani for shooting such a great film that is not only authentic, but also surprises with its brilliant cinematography.
The press conference that preceded the international premiere of the film was attended by the lead actress, the editor, the director, and the film’s private producer. While the questions targeted to all of the present filmmakers were on censorship not only for artists but for all Iranians in general, the filmmakers answered in a vague way and you could still feel that every word answered was quietly going through censorship in their heads. Sitting there, I could not help but be reminded of the regime our own country went through and seeing what it does to people in front of my eyes just hit me on the spot. While the director spoke of the sadness written all over the faces of Iranians portrayed also in the movie and answered the question on the effect of the recent events on the censorship only with saying “that, indeed, is a question”, he spoke of hope in a “better future” for all people in Iran and of hope to one day be able to make a film without the need of seeking official feedback from anyone. Clearly, everybody in the room knew what he was referring to…
A Master Class with an Iranian actress and director Niki Karimi, who is a member of the jury this year, also took place at Hotel Thermal yesterday, where the actress also spoke of her work, the difficulties that filmmakers, and of course all artists, face in Iran.
You can still catch another great film from the Iranian director Asghar Farhadi Darbaraeye Elli (About Elli), which will be screened at Grandhotel Pupp on 9 July and where its director will also be present.
And what’s on today? I’d like to recommend all three films screened today in the main competition, the German film Whiskey with Vodka about an aging actor, the Italian film Tutta colpa di Giuda (Freedom), and the only representive of “Czechoslovak” cinema in the main competition, Pokoj v duši (Soul at Peace). And if you feel like having a chat with the directors, you shouldn’t miss the Master Class with the talented shooting star of the American cinema Cary Fukunaga, whose film Sin Nombre screened yesterday won the best director and cinematography award this year at Sundance, and Scott Sanders, director of Black Dynamite, a tribute to the blaxplotation films with a satirical undertone.
Last but not least, here’s a tip for you if you get tired of the mojitos in the Captain Morgan Tent or beer served all around Hotel Thermal. Try to check out the Filmcafe next to Kino Panasonic, at Vítězná 50 (10 minutes walking distance from Hotel Thermal) and especially the live concerts held there today and on Wednesday. It’s nice cozy place for a coffee or beer between films, where you can let the star dust settle a bit…
