TEHRAN -- “Nahid”, Iranian director Ida Panahandeh’s acclaimed debut about a woman faced with the dilemma of choosing between her son and her new love, won the Roger Ebert Award at the 51st Chicago International Film Festival, organizers announced on Friday evening.

Sareh Bayat, best known for the portrayal of Razieh in the Oscar-winning drama “A Separation”, plays the role of Nahid, who lives alone with her 10-year old son in a small town in Northern Iran after her divorce. Custody of the child should have gone to the father, but he has relinquished it on one condition: Nahid cannot remarry.

However, she has fallen in love and wants to get married. Iranian law offers a way out: a temporary marriage which can last from an hour up to 99 years. As Nahid is already divorced, however, such a marriage would be frowned upon. She has to choose – between her son and her new love.

“Nahid” has previously been screened at several major international events. The film and Indian director Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Masaan” shared Prix de l’Avenir -- the special jury prize for debut films at the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival in May this year.

The award is presented annually in the festival’s New Directors Competition to an emerging filmmaker whose film presents a fresh and uncompromising vision.

In this category, “Underground Fragrance” by Chinese director Pengfei Song won the Gold Hugo and “Sparrows” director Runar Runarsson from Iceland received the Silver Plaque.


The awards presentation at the Chicago International Film Festival was held Friday evening but the festival will continue at the AMC River East downtown until Thursday.

The Gold Hugo for best film went to “A Childhood”, French director Philippe Claudel’s drama about a young French boy navigating a stormy adolescence.

“Paulina”, a joint production of Argentina and Brazil directed by Santiago Mitre won the special jury prize and the Silver Plaque for best director went to Chilean director Pablo Larrain for “The Club”.

Andrew Davis, best known for directing “The Fugitive”, presided over the international competition jury.

Photo: Sareh Bayat (L) and Pejman Bazeghi act in a scene from “Nahid”, which won the Roger Ebert Award at the 51st Chicago International Film Festival on Friday evening.

MMS/YAW
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