TEHRAN – Prolific filmmakers Alexander Sokurov from Russia and Andrew Lau from Hong Kong are scheduled to attend the 34th Fajr International Film Festival, which will open in Tehran this week. 

Sokurov plans to promote his documentary “Francofonia”, which will go on screen during the festival that is Iran’s major international event in the motion picture industry.

The 2015 film is about history of the Louvre while Paris was under occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II. It also presents a meditation on the meaning and timelessness of art.

Lau, who has made movies in a variety of genres, notably in action and crime films, is scheduled to hold a workshop on the sidelines of the event. 

Apart from his native Hong Kong, Lau has made films in China, South Korea and the United States. 

Sokurov and Lau are scheduled to deliver speeches for students at the Faculty of Cinema and Theater at the Tehran University of Art.

“Faust”, one of Sokurov’s series on the corrupting effects of power, won the Golden Lion for best film at the Venice Film Festival in 2011. 

The crime-thriller movie “Infernal Affairs” directed by Lau and Alan Mak was crowned best film at the 40th Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards in 2003. 

About 150 international distributers, directors, actors and critics from around the globe have been invited to attend the Fajr festival, which will be held at Tehran’s Charsu Cinema Complex from April 20 to 25.

Photo: This combination photo shows Andrew Lau (L), Alexander Sokurov (R) and a logo of the 34th Fajr International Film Festival.  

AFM/YAW
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