Why it matters:
The festival, one of Iran’s major cultural showcases, is being reshaped in response to tightened cultural sanctions, regional diplomacy with Turkey, and a strategic shift to decentralize cultural events beyond Tehran.
The big picture:
Iran continues to face significant obstacles from cultural and festival-related sanctions, which hinder international cultural exchange.
This year, the festival puts a special focus on Turkish cinema as part of the Iran-Turkey cultural year.
The decision to host the festival in Shiraz marks a symbolic return to Iran’s poetic heritage and is based on a plan to decentralize cultural programming.
What he’s saying:
Rouhollah Hosseini, Secretary of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival:
On cultural sanctions: “Cultural and festival sanctions against Iran are serious. Many do not want foreign films to enter Iran, or Iranian licensed films to be screened abroad. I hope this issue will be resolved.”
On the focus on Turkey: “We are in the cultural year of Iran and Turkey. That’s why we have a section dedicated to reviewing Turkish cinema and will host more Turkish guests to honor this collaboration. Cinematic cooperation with Turkey is important to us… We hope senior Turkish officials will attend the festival and that we can continue negotiations in Shiraz.”
On moving the festival to Shiraz: “For years, the Ministry of Culture has urged us to decentralize, because Iran is not just Tehran. Cultural events must be held in other cities. This was a good opportunity to take the festival to a place with real cultural infrastructure. The festival’s poetic orientation also encouraged us to select a city whose name is synonymous with poetry and literature.”
“We couldn’t wait another year to see what happens. Every year brings its own challenges. When a good opportunity arises, we must not hesitate… This is the first year in Shiraz; we will try to minimize any shortcomings.”
On film selection criteria: “We live in a land where poetry is not just an art form, it is a worldview. Poetry is a fundamental pillar of our culture and identity… Hafiz and Saadi define our reputation in the world; their legacy defines who we are. This greatest cultural achievement can be linked to our greatest artistic achievement, cinema.”
“Our poetic approach is a way of honoring a mode of seeing that is close to our identity. These films are not intended to be purely entertaining; they require patience from viewers. Their essential qualities are pause, metaphor, and reflection.”
Key points:
- The festival points out that cultural sanctions limit both the entry of foreign films and the international visibility of Iranian productions.
- Turkey receives special attention due to longstanding cinematic cooperation agreements and the Iran-Turkey cultural year.
- Shiraz is chosen for its rich cultural history, poetic heritage, and suitable infrastructure for hosting the festival.
- The thematic and aesthetic focus of this year’s festival highlights poetic cinema, marking a return to Iran's cultural identity.
- Selected films are more contemplative than commercial.
- The films expected to be featured are more contemplative than commercial, aligned with themes of metaphor, silence, and poetic imagery.
Go deeper:
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