TEHRAN – The 7th edition of the Baghdad International Film Festival is scheduled to open with “Hussein, Who Said No”, director Ahmadreza Darvish’s movie about the uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) against the Umayyad dynasty in 680 CE, the organizers announced on Tuesday.

The festival will also turn the spotlight on Iranian cinema by screening works by a number of Iranian filmmakers in a special section, the program director of the festival, Ammar Alarady, said in a press conference, which was held at Iran’s cultural attaché’s office in Baghdad.

“Iran is ready to announce its assistance to better organize the festival,” Iran’s Cultural Attaché Hojjatoleslam Gholamreza Abazari said at the press conference.

Alarady expressed appreciation for Iran’s support and said that they are eager to stay in closer contact with Iran’s cinema and asked Iranian filmmakers to hold workshops during the event.

“Hussein, Who Said No” will hit Iranian theaters today, a few days early to better brighten up Id al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of the month of Ramadan.

However, it was screened at the 23rd International Holy Quran Exhibition at Tehran’s Sacred Defense Garden Museum on Monday night.

The film premiered at the 32nd Fajr International Film Festival that was held in Tehran in February 2104 and won five Crystal Simorghs in the categories of best film, best director, best composer, best cinematographer, and best costume and set designer.

The film has been dubbed into several languages, including Arabic and English.

The 7th edition of the Baghdad International Film Festival will be running from October 1 to 5.

Photo: A scene from “Hussein, Who Said No”

RM/YAW
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