Five Iranian films will be screened during the 5-day event, co-organized by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization and the Embassy of Iran.
It will begin with “So far, so close”, a film about life, death, and parental love. It focuses on Dr Alam, a neurologist and successful surgeon, who is so immersed in his professional and social work that he has totally forgotten about his seventeen-year-old son Saman. Beautifully shot, 'So Far, So Close' captures the efforts of a father and son trying to reunite in order to save each other.
The film won a Crystal Simorgh for Best Film at the 23rd Fajr International Film Festival in 2005 and was Iran's representative for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars that same year.
Another film in the same genre is “Crazy Rook”, which follows a group of friends who met through social media and got caught up in a criminal case. Solving the case brings a new understanding of life and society to each group member.
The film won Crystal Simorghs for Best Film and Best Director at the 33rd Fajr International Film Festival.
The third film in the program is “Where are my shoes?”, about an elderly factory owner who has Alzheimer’s.
Years after Habib was abandoned by his family, his life turns upside down just as his daughter returns to Iran to reconnect with him.
“Where are my shoes?” was nominated for a Crystal Simorgh for Best Actor at the 34th Fajr International Film Festival.
Animated film “Loupetoo” tells the story of Dr. Kamali, the owner of a sanitarium who treats his patients by teaching them to make toys.
When the toy workshop is sabotaged, Dr. Kamali’s young son, Ali, helps his father restore operations.
The film was honored at the 4th Ahmedabad International Children’s Film Festival in India last year.
In the last film, another animation entitled “Mobarak”, an old storyteller uses dolls based on Shahnameh epic poem’s characters to tell his stories.
After Essi Palang, the owner of the toy store, steals the dolls, they come to life and join Golpari, the daughter of the storyteller, in a funny adventure.
The five films will be presented in their original version, with Vietnamese and English subtitles.
Though admission will be free, you are advised to get your tickets in advance at the Iranian Embassy (54 Tran Phu street) or at the National Cinema Center (87 Lang Ha street).
Here is the detail timetable of the screening.