Fajr filmfest announces lineup for Iranian competition

TEHRAN, Jan.11(MNA) -- Twenty-six films will be contending for the Crystal Simorgh in the Iranian films competition at the 30th Fajr International Film Festival, the organizers announced on Tuesday. Celebrated filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui’s “The Orange Dressed”, on a photojournalist who turns into a sanitation worker due to his enthusiasm for the environment, is one of the entries to the festival, which is Iran’s most important cinematic event. Mehdi Sabbaghzadeh has returned with “Way to Heaven”, which is about the early history of Islam. Actor-turned-director Peyman Moadi’s debut “Snow on the Pines”, a social drama, will be screened at the festival. A number of renowned Iranian directors are also to premiere their latest films at the event. Following is a list of some of the films: “The Guidance Patrol” by Saeid Soheili, “We Will Say Amen” by Saman Salur, “The Bear” by Khosro Masumi, “A Simple Love Poem” by Saman Moqaddam, “The Queen” by Mohammad-Ali Ahangar, “Growing in the Wind” by Rahbar Qanbari, “Kissing the Moon-Like Face” by Homayun Asadian, “A Simple Entertaining” by Mani Haqiqi and “Waiting for a Miracle” by Rasul Sadr-Ameli. The films have been chosen by a selecting board composed of nine cineastes. However, festival secretary Mohammad Khazaii had previously said he would personally rule out the films “that will likely provoke protests.” “Needlessly and Causelessly” by Abdorreza Kahani and “Tehran 2121” by Bahram Azimi, “Laboratory” by Hamid Amjad, “The Private Life of Mr. and Mrs. M.” by Ruhollah Hejazi and 11 other have been left out. Last week, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, which is the main organizer of festival, announced the dissolution of the Iranian House of Cinema (IHC) that is the guild of the country’s cineastes. The decision to disband the society was allegedly made due to a breach of the IHC chapter. Analysts have said the Fajr festival will be overshadowed by the row if the Culture Ministry does not settle it before the beginning of the event.