The closing ceremony of the 43rd Fajr Film Festival featured beautiful scenes: from award-giving with Hassan Pourshirazi and Merila Zarei’s encouragement for his competitors to an invitation to the screening of “The Wild Killer” and presenting the award to Shahab Hosseini.
According to Artmag.ir, citing IRNA, the closing ceremony of the 43rd Fajr Film Festival was held on Monday, February 10, at the Milad Tower Conference Center.
Innovation in the arrangement of guests
In addition to the fact that the program list of this ceremony did not include speeches, the organizers of the ceremony, in an interesting initiative, considered the artists’ position in the front rows, and placed the government officials and managers in the middle rows, unlike usual.
Manoochehr Shahsavari, the secretary of this edition of the festival, came to the stage and said in a speech: I wish each and every one of you could be here and see this crowd. Sometimes they say to me why don’t you report when we have done our job and if we have done it right, it will definitely come to the sharp eyes of everyone and if there is a problem, thank God there are many people who will tell us what our problems were and we are eager to hear them.
He continued: “In all respects, this year we have returned to the previous high numbers compared to the previous years; with a growth of more than 30 percent. Up to this moment and still in many theaters in Tehran and the cities, your works are being shown. I think more than 350,000 tickets have been purchased by the audience so far. In any case, the Corona period and some social issues of recent years deprived us of being together.
Shahsavari added: This return is the right of all of us and the Iranian nation, we are no one but everyone, we are not a scattered group, although many consider us scattered, but the evil eye is far away that Alireza Zarrin Dast, Alireza Raisian, Ebrahim Hatami Kia are still working. In another corner of this theater, Rasoul Sadrameli, Kamal Tabrizi, Bahram Azimi, Ali Dehkordi, Karen Homayounfar, Saeed Rashtian, Mohsen Barmahani and many others are still working; the evil eye is far away from everyone and Iranian cinema.”
The awards ceremony continued with the short and documentary sections.
The Honorary Diploma for Literary Adaptation went to Soheila Pourmohammadi for the film “Kuti”.
The Crystal Simorgh for Best Short Fiction Film went to Nadereh Sadat Sarki for the short film “Dadarsi”.
After receiving the award for this section, the director of the film Dadarsi said: “It was a case of child rape that we pursued legally, but the perpetrator was ultimately acquitted.”
The director expressed hope that the film will help to bring the process of reforming and changing laws related to the protection of children and their families to the attention of lawmakers.
Nadereh Sadat Sarki dedicated her award to her father for supporting her, her sisters, and her mother.
The Crystal Simorgh for Best Documentary went to “The Apprentice,” produced by Jafar Sadeghi.
The Crystal Simorgh for Best Documentary Direction went to Nima Mahdian for “A Foot of Soil.”
Two Crystal Simorghs for Best Visual Effects
Then it was time to present the Crystal Simorgh for Best Technical Achievement to Alireza Vaez for the film “Musa Kalimollah”.
The Crystal Simorgh for Best Visual Effects was presented to Amir Valikhani for the film “Sayad”.
Best Field Special Effects
Hamid Rasoulian was nominated for the Simorgh for 3 films. In this category, the films “1968” and “Esfand” were honored, and the Crystal Simorgh was awarded to his third film, “Sayad”.
Best Makeup
Shahram Khalaj received the Crystal Simorgh for Best Makeup for the film “Musa Kalimollah”.
Best Set Design
Keyvan Moghadam took home the Crystal Simorgh for this category for “Musa Kalimollah”.
Best Sound
Crystal Simorgh for Best Sound (Sound Editor – Sound Mixer) to Meysam Yardilo and Hossein Ghorchian for “Highway Deer”
Ghorchian said: I wore everything in the studio to get to the closing ceremony; even though it’s the closing ceremony now, we’re still getting the film to the festival.
This year, the soundtracks of the films were serious; I don’t know if we had this many war films in previous years. My father is a visual artist and he sees Simorgh in his dreams and there is a symbol of Simorgh in his works; I dedicate the award to my father.
Best Music
The Simorgh for Best Soundtrack was also awarded to Karen Homayounfar for “Esfand”.
Best Editing
The Crystal Simorgh was awarded to Emad Khodabaksh for the film “Children of the People”.
Best Cinematography
Ali Mohammad Ghasemi received the Crystal Simorgh for the film “North of the Southwest”.
The honorary diploma of this section also went to Milad Parto for “Children of the People”.
Alireza Zarrindast said about the reactions of the hall to the consecutive awards of the film “Musa Kalimollah”: There are many talents everywhere in this country, each of whom can become great men; Milad Parto is one of the future talents of Iranian cinema. People like Touraj Mansouri and Ebrahim Hatamikia are unique in their work, but this is not a reason for us to ignore other talents.
Then, after a short break and a performance of a few pieces by Ali Zand Vakili, the remaining Simorghs were awarded.
Supporting Actor
Enayat Bakhshi received the honorary diploma of best supporting actor for the film “Shah Naghsh”.
The judges came down the steps of the stage to present the Simorgh to this veteran actor and accompanied him to the stage. Shahab Hosseini stood and applauded the artist.
Bakhshi said: I don’t want to talk about my past and cinema, theater, and television. But I can say that I have worked very hard for cinema, theater, and television. This 13-story television building was built with our help. Every time I pass by it, I look at this building and, without exaggeration, tears flow down my face. If I had the opportunity, I could have a conversation with you, but alas, I don’t. May God keep these dear and noble people healthy for us.
The Crystal Simorgh of this section was presented to Farhad Aeesh for the film “Musa Kalimollah.”
Farhad Aeesh said: I always thought that art is a subjective and relative category, and judgment and judgment are also relative. But I see that this Simorgh is neither relative nor subjective, but objective. It is very heavy. I am very happy.
He added: When this role was offered to me, I was very happy, I practiced in front of my wife. At that time and in front of the camera, I was very happy and enjoyed it.
The actor said: In these 70 and a half years, I have never taken myself seriously and I will not take myself seriously, but I always tried to give my best in my games, and this time I gave my best. What is the difference? I am not different. The difference is that the role was such that it could bring this Simorgh to any actor.
He added: I am grateful for the role. No good actor can shine in a role that is simple and uncomplicated.
Supporting Actress
Linda Kiani received the Crystal Simorgh for Best Supporting Actress for the film “1968”.
Kiani said: “This Simorgh is valuable to me. I hope it will show me better paths.”
She added: “I am happy to have received the reward for my work after so many years. I thank all those who ignored my efforts during these years. Those who made me work harder and get myself here step by step.”
Leading Actor
The Crystal Simorgh in this category was awarded to Mostafa Zamani for “North by Southwest.”
Navid Pourfaraj received an honorary diploma for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film “Highway Deer.”
After receiving the award, he said: “I wish I had received this award when people’s hearts were better.”
The Simorgh that was shared with Hassan Pourshirazi
Mostafa Zamani said: If Hassan Pourshirazi was nominated for the award, this award would not have been given to us. In five or six months, both the president’s martyrdom and the elections made the atmosphere of our film truly warlike. I will share this award with Hassan Pourshirazi. I hope that the jury will register this award as a joint Simorgh.
After Mustafa Zamani received the Simorgh, Ezatollah Zarghami said: What would you do if the jury’s opinions were three to three? It was very rare that we would reach a three to three vote in reviewing the Simorgh candidates; six opinions would be zero and we would all be happy because there was a consensus on one work.
He added: Anyone who is selected as a Simorgh candidate really deserves that category as the best artist. Sometimes we would argue a lot about the final result.
Zarghami said: On the contrary, here, when someone speaks. Because the sound of the hall is bad, the jury could not understand a single word that was being heard. On the contrary, we could hear each other’s voices perfectly during the judging. When the votes were three by three, the discussion was more precise and the result was determined with complete satisfaction.
I thank dear Mustafa Zamani and I remember Farajollah Salahshur for how precise and correct his great discovery for Yousef was. Mustafa Zamani’s works show that that choice has come to fruition.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
The Crystal Simorgh for Best Actress in a Leading Role went to Fariba Naderi for the film “Star Husband”.
Naderi said: The day I went to receive the script, Mr. Oji said to be careful not to lose the Simorgh from the script. Mr. Oji appreciates this Simorgh very much.
Learn professional behavior from Merila Zarei
After receiving the Simorgh from Naderi, Mastana Mohajer pointed to the cast of the film “Children of the People” and said: “Don’t be sad, you shined.” In the female actors category, I would also like to give a standing ovation to my dear Merila Zarei. Each of my colleagues received an award, and she stood up with such love that I ask you to learn this professional behavior from Merila Zarei.
Best Animation
Mohammad Amin Hamedani and Mohammad Khairandish received the Crystal Simorgh for Best Animation for “The Dolphin Boy 2.”
Mohammad Amin Hamedani said: Iranian animation is a pioneer in the international arena. The Dolphin Boy 1 animation has sold several million dollars and has good sales in all sectors, from spin-offs to theme parks, worldwide.
Best First Director
Mahmoud Karimi received the Best First Director award for the film “Bache Mardom.”
Karimi said: Ms. Gohar Kheirandish was not nominated, as she was among the nominees. I share this Simorgh with my wife, who wrote the screenplay and is my life partner.
Best First Film
The film “Raha” brought the Crystal Simorgh for Best First Film to Saeed Khani.
Screen “The Killer and the Savage”
Khani said: Mr. Shahab Hosseini, if it weren’t for you, this film wouldn’t have been made. You were the first person on the set, and if it weren’t for you, it wouldn’t have been possible to film a film in the private sector in 37 sessions.
He continued: We have dedicated the film to Mr. Kiomars Pour-Ahmad. I thank God that I started cinema from scratch and have reached this point. People like me have worked hard and without being attached to anything; the private sector means that I have paid from my own pocket.
Best Screenplay
Mahmoud Karimi and Faezeh Yarmohammadi received the Crystal Simorgh for Best Screenplay for the film “Bache Mardom”.
Special Jury Award
The award in this category went to the film “Sonsuz” directed by Reza Jamali.
Best Director
The Crystal Simorgh for Best Director went to Hamid Zargarnejad for directing the film “North from the Southwest”.
Zargarnejad said: Twenty or so years ago, when I had a short film and Kamal Tabrizi was the judge, my film did not win an award and I was very upset. Now I see that the problem was not with the judges, but I should have tried.
Mr. Sadr Ameli, this Simorgh is for you
“Ziba Saadeem Kan” brought the Crystal Simorgh for the best film to Seyyed Maziar Hashemi.
Hashemi said: Mr. Sadr Ameli, this Simorgh is for you. I would like to express my gratitude to the kind heart of Rasoul Sadr Ameli. Also, Mr. Hatamikia, we learned cinema from your films.
At the end of the closing ceremony of the 43rd Fajr Film Festival, the animation “Dolphin Boy 2” received the Crystal Simorgh for the best animated film from the audience’s point of view.
The film “Peshmerga” was introduced as the audience’s choice film of the 43rd festival.
The 43rd Fajr Film Festival, directed by Manoochehr Shahsavari, was held from January 31 to February 10.
This edition of the festival was one of the busiest in the history of the event, with 33 feature films and four animations competing.
Kamal Tabrizi (director), Reza Dorostkar (critic), Alireza Raisian (director), Alireza Zarrindast (cinematographer), Ezatollah Zarghami (cultural director), and Mastaneh Mohajer (editor and producer) were the members of the jury for the Iranian Cinema Competition section of this edition of the Fajr Film Festival.
