Iranian Cinema screens at Auckland Film Society
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Films and filmmaking flourished in Iran in the 1990s, a time of reform and greater freedom in the Islamic Republic. Iranian Cinema is a series of four films from that era, screening at Auckland Film Society from 12 April.
First up is Abbas Kiarostami’s masterpiece, Close-up (Nema-ye nazdik, 1990). “Abbas Kiarostami, in semi-documentary mode, re-creates the true story of an unemployed dreamer – an ardent cinephile – who passes himself off as the director Mohsen Makhmalbaf, a fraudulent act that becomes both an homage and a fresh work of art.” – New Yorker. Close-up has just been re-released in New York.
Next in the series is The White Balloon (Badkonake sefid, 1995), a delightful comedy directed by Jafar Panahi and written by Abbas Kiarostami. The plot – suitable for all ages and full of unexpected twists and developments – follows the adventures of a seven-year-old girl who loses her money to purchase a goldfish for the New Year. Winner, Caméra d’or, Cannes 1995.
The Colour of Paradise (Rang-e khoda, 1999) by Majid Majidi is the story of Mohammad, a young blind boy whose inability to see the world only enhances his ability to feel its powerful forces. “Enthralling… artfully simple and beautifully observant of man and nature.” – Time magazine
Rounding out the series is A Time for Drunken Horses (Zamani barayé masti asbha, 2000). Kurdish filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi’s first feature is a devastatingly powerful and unflinching portrait of the hardships faced by a family of orphans living on the Iran/Iraq border. “A film of simplicity and power, beautifully shot and effortlessly acted by non-professionals.” – LA Times. Caméra d’or, Cannes 2000.
Iranian Cinema screens at Auckland Film Society from 12 April. Films in this series are in Farsi or Farsi and Kurdish, with English subtitles. Screenings are at the Academy Cinemas, 44 Lorne St, Auckland City, Mondays at 6.30pm.
Memberships on sale at the AFS table in the lobby before all Film Society screenings. 3-film card membership costs just $30 and can be used to purchase full membership by instalments. Full membership of Auckland Film Society is $165 ($140 concession), and is valid for a 30-film season from date of joining, which works out at only $5.50 a film.
Full details at www.aucklandfilmsociety.org.nz
Dates
Close-up, Monday 12 April, 6.30pm at Academy Cinemas
The White Balloon, Monday 26 April, 6.30pm at Academy Cinemas
The Colour of Paradise, Monday 10 May, 6.30pm at Academy Cinemas
A Time for Drunken Horses, Monday 24 May, 6.30pm at Academy Cinemas
More links
And the award goes to Jafar Panahi (includes clip of The White Balloon)
The Colour of Paradise trailer
A Time for Drunken Horses review
A Time for Drunken Horses trailer