Film festival shines light on Iranian society

AMMAN — Iranian Film Days began in Amman on Sunday, with a number of film screenings which aim to provide an insight into the country’s social life and issues, a Royal Film Commission (RFC) official said. 

 It is the fourth time the festival has been held in the capital and it will run for four days at Jabal Amman’s Rainbow Theatre. 

“These films are directed by independent filmmakers, and many film experts consider Iranian cinema as particularly significant,” Nada Doumani, RFC communication and cultural programming manager, told The Jordan Times. 

She noted that Iranian cinema, although often noted for its simplicity, can be very powerful. 

“It is a simple form of cinema, but it is appreciated worldwide. Though the budget might be simple, they are written and shot in a very beautiful way,” she added. 

Doumani said such works will inspire aspiring Jordanian filmmakers to follow their filmmaking dreams. 

“If you have a good story and good skills in shooting a film, you will definitely be able to make a successful work,” she added. 

All of these films were shot in 2016 and have been screened at international film festivals. 

The festival started with a screening of “Inversion”, which won the Red Rose Award for the Best Released Film and Best Original Screenplay Award at the Jaipur International Film Festival. 

The festival will conclude with “Paris — Tehran”, which tells the story of Aida, a 35-year-old Iranian woman living in Paris who returns to Tehran after years abroad.

Wanting to have a baby, she had previously arranged to receive a sperm donation from a young Iranian man, but upon her arrival in the city, the young man abandons her and disappears. Aida, accompanied by her friend Berkeh, starts looking for an alternative. 

The film offers a different perspective on modern Iranian society, where women’s roles and independence are much greater than they often appear to outside observers.