Cinema Iran – 10th Iranian Film Festival MunichThe Utopian Power of Empathy

Cinema Iran is celebrating its tenth anniversary: From 17 to 20 July, the Gasteig HP8 will host the festival’s tenth edition, which presents films from and about Iran. The anniversary edition’s theme is “The Utopian Power of Empathy” and shines a spotlight on the transformative power of Iranian cinema.

To mark its anniversary, the festival looks both ahead and back, highlighting both the ongoing themes and the changes that have taken place over the years. More than ever, international Iranian cinema is faced with many challenges, which the festival reflects on with its multi-faceted programme. It also highlights how films use their narrative and visual power to create empathy, build bridges and further understanding between cultures, generations and different living environments. They become the tools of a “utopian practice” the effect of which are felt not in the future, but in the here and now.

Highlights

Opening film

Thursday, 17 July | 7 PM

The festival starts with a declaration of love to Iranian cinema: With Universal Language, Canadian director Matthew Rankin has directed an enchanting, humorous, surreal feature film set in the snowy Canadian city of Winnipeg – where everyone speaks Persian. Rather than triggering a culture clash, the fusion of cultures leads to surprising insights into the perception, history and identity of post-migrant societies. In aesthetically composed scenes, the film frequently references Abbas Kiarostami’s films.

Reading following the screening

Sunday, 20 July | 8 PM

The renowned journalist and author Shila Behjat will present her recently published book, Frauen & Revolution (Women & Revolution), at the closing event on Sunday and enter into dialogue with the audience. Her book pays tribute to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, the protests of the women of Belarus and the activists of Fridays for Future – the revolution is female and social transformation worldwide is being driven first and foremost by women.

The first Iranian science fiction film and more by Vahid Vakilifar

Friday, 18 July | 8 PM

Vahid Vakilifar is an exceptional talent. The 2017 edition of Cinema Iran opened with the innovative experimental filmmaker’s debut film, Gesher. This year, the festival is presenting two films by Vahid Vakilifar that are very different but equally impressive in their narrative and visuals: K9 is the first science fiction film in Iranian independent cinema. Following a solar eclipse, the earth is plunged into a maelstrom of violence. This powerful, visionary film from 2022 is a must-see.

Friday, 18 July | 6 PM

Shot in 2024, Vahid Vakilifar’s fifth film, Rhinos Conquered the Middle East, tells a very different story: As he grapples with constipation and a faltering career, actor Elias’ wife wants a divorce because he is too hairy for her taste. Vakilifar addresses masculinity in Iranian culture with humour, social criticism and a script that is ever full of twists and turns.

Toxic cultural industry, Iranian me-too debate and Woman, Life, Freedom

Saturday, 19 July | 6 PM

In Faezeh Azizkhani’s The Locust, the destitute, forty-year-old Hanieh is about to be thrown out of her flat by her landlord. Having for years tried in vain to make a film based on her own semi-autobiographical script, she sells this very personal screenplay to her successful friend Pegah.

Saturday, 19 July | 8 PM

Following the screening, Dr Maryam Palizban invites you to a “performative thinking space” – a condensation of language, memory and physical presence. In her work, the Iranian actress, director, poet and doctor of theatre studies combines artistic practice with theoretical reflection. Driven by a profound interest in forms of resistance, remembering and visualisation, her projects move between stage, film and research. In 2018, she opened her lecture Films that Burn with striking insights into the political energy of Iranian cinema. As early as 2016, she appeared as the leading actress in Reza Dormishian’s film Lantouri.

The lecture performance was devised especially for Cinema Iran and is a world premiere.

Organisers:
Cinema Iran, Filmstadt München e. V.
In cooperation with the Munich Public Library
With the kind support of the Department of Arts and Culture of the City of Munich

Tickets are available at München Ticket.