Iranian cinema elevates world cinema: filmmaker
Jafar Panahi shared the Silver Bear award of the 56th International Berlin Film Festival with Danish filmmaker Pernille Fischer Christensen, which was presented on Saturday evening.
Despite the negative propaganda of the United States and the dearth of Iranian entries to the Berlinale over the past few years, the film “Offside” was warmly received by the foreign audience, he noted.
Panahi said the film’s success is a success for Iranian cinema and its prize belongs to all Iranian cineastes.
Asked why Iranian cinema has been so successful in international events, he replied, “If we study the issue from the angle of judging, simplicity, the use of new themes, and their different themes are the reasons the juries’ attention is captured.
“Making use of simple themes is the art of Iranian filmmakers, which is hardly ever seen in the cinema of any other country. The movie was highly acclaimed due to its different theme compared to those of other countries.”
“Offside” is about six Iranian girls who disguise themselves as boys in order to enter Tehran’s Azadi Stadium to watch the 2006 World Cup Asian zone qualifier between Iran and Bahrain but who are arrested one by one.
Although the film was screened during the last two days of the festival and the film market was almost closed, the movie was sold to ten counties, including Britain, France, and Austria, Panahi pointed out.
Many German state TV channels are interested in purchasing the film, but these broadcasts must wait so the film’s distribution prospects are not harmed, he explained.
“When Iran’s National Anthem was played at the end of the film, it was warmly received by both Iranians residing in Germany and foreign nationals in the audience,” he added.
Panahi also expressed hope that his movie would hit silver screens in Iran soon.