TEHRAN -- In a poll instituted by the organizers of the 29th Fajr International Film Festival, Asghar Farhadi’s family drama “Nader and Simin: A Separation” is expected to win the Audience Favorite Film award.

“The Maritime Silk Road” directed by Mohammadreza Bozorgnia stands in second place as there are only four days left until the end of the event.
Starring Leila Hatami and Shahab Hosseini, “Nader and Simin: A Separation” tells the story of a couple who are getting a divorce, but the tutorship of their child is causing a dilemma for them.
The film received an enthusiastic 25-minute applause from audiences who watched it at the Azadi Cinema on Wednesday, as Khabaronline reported.
“Farhadi’s slice of daily life raises many questions in the minds of the audience when they leave the theater, so please watch the film!” said the film’s cameraman previously mentioned in a note he penned for the Café Cinema website.
“The Maritime Silk Road” is about a man called Soleiman Siraf who, according to historical documents, was the first sailor to cross the Indian Ocean to China. His route was later called the maritime Silk Road and many merchants took that route to ship their merchandise to China.
Ezzatollah Entezami, Reza Kianian, Bahram Radan and Dariush Arjmand are among cast members of the play.
Rambod Javan’s comedy “Women Only” ranks third in the poll.
It narrates the story of a nonprofit school for girls whose manager is a 30-year woman that does not have any male teachers in the school. In a particular situation, she is obliged to let a male teacher to work in the school.
According to ISNA, the film was warmly welcomed by audiences at the Milad Tower where journalists and critics watched the movie.
In an interview with Tehran-e Emrooz daily, Javan expressed his hope of winning an award at the festival for “Women Only”.
“The Maritime Silk Road” was shown at the Asian Cinema Competition section. “Nader and Simin: A Separation” and “Women Only” were reviewed during the Iranian Competition section of the festival.
The Fajr International Film Festival is currently underway in Tehran’s movie theaters and will run until February 15.
Photo: Leila Hatami (front) and Peyman Ma’adi in a scene from “Nader and Simin: A Separation” (Photo by Habib Majidi)