The closing ceremony of 42nd Fajr Film Festival, was held with presence of artists and media people.
According to Artmag.ir, the closing ceremony of 42nd Fajr International Film Festival was held on Sunday evening, February 11, at Milad Tower Convention Center.
Mohammad Reza Shahidifard, the host of program, said in this ceremony: During the last 10 days, many cinemas in Iran screened 33 films present in this festival. National and international films were also screened in Milad Tower.
He added: This festival had financial sponsors, with presence of filmmakers from 70 countries. At the beginning of this ceremony, I would like to mention the main sponsor of festival, National Bank of Iran.
Mojtabi Amini, secretary of 42nd Fajr Film Festival, said in continuation of ceremony: “Friends from high-ranking political delegations were by our side during festival and supported idea of expanding international relations in Iranian cinema.” We appreciate this interaction and joint plans for future of the region’s cinema and we strive to realize it.
He stated: The 42nd Fajr International Film Festival has reached its end with a large group of activists from various cultural, managerial and media fields. The glorious memories of this festival period are a precious experience for all of us and Iranian cinema. I would like to thank festival companions in selection and judging committees who took on a difficult responsibility and watched film tirelessly, professionally and fairly, to respected judges of international section and also to my friends in organizing staff of this event who worked for months to make festival better. They did, thank you. I wish happiness and pride to respected family of Iranian cinema who were with us during these ten days.
At the end of his speech, Amini thanked sponsors of festival, National Bank of Iran and Rubika, and said: Thanks to Sina Bank, 3,000 was given to media people to facilitate purchase of goods. This bank accepted effort and will give 6,000 to families of martyrs and cinema residents to facilitate purchase of goods. In the end, I ask God for health, vitality and health for all of you.
Further, Shahidifard stated: Films from 70 countries were screened at Fajr Film Festival. The heads of film organizations from seven countries of region are present in this hall. Also, artists, directors and cinema experts were in Iran during last week. The international section of festival judged films in four sections, and first section that will recognize its winners tonight is interfaith section.
The diploma of honor for best film of this section was awarded to Mahmoud Kalari for film “Summer of same year”.
The Crystal Simorgh for best film of this section was awarded to Dariush Yari for film “Love Passion“.
The diploma of honor of this department was awarded to Mohammad Hossein Haghighat for movie “Flight 175”.
Also, Crystal Simorgh of this section was awarded to Kheyrollah Taghianipour for movie “Qalb Raqqah”.
In following, a clip from East Showroom section was broadcasted in international section of this year’s festival, and Selma Mesri, Ahmed Mojtabi Zamal, Katsumi Yanagi Jima, Aziz Zhambakivu and Abolghasem Talebi, among judges of Asia competition, from East Showroom section, came to present awards.
Later, parts of movie “The Survivor” starring Selma Mesri were played for audience.
Crystal Simorgh, best artistic achievement of Shargh Exhibition Department, was awarded to Tasnia Jamil, actress of movie “Fatima”.
Crystal Simorgh for best screenplay of this section was awarded to Nasim Bastani for movie “Zahir”.
Crystal Simorgh for best director of this section was awarded to Mohammad Asgari for movie “Western Sky”.
The special prize of jury was awarded to Askhat Kuchinchirkov for film “Baurina Salo”.
Crystal Simorgh for best film of this section was awarded to Zuljar Gol Porudash for film “Dream of Winter Sleep”.
In this part of ceremony, a clip from report of secretariat of international section of 42nd Fajr Film Festival was broadcast.
In continuation of this ceremony, it was turn of Saadat Cinema section and a clip about this international section was played for attendees, and then Wu Long, Jose Maria Lara, Sergi Dorstovy, Karen Avitisyan, Andre Morgan and Hatef Alimardani, judges of Saadat Cinema section, came on stage to present awards.. Ahmadreza Motamedi was not present in this ceremony due to boredom.
Crystal Simorgh, best artistic achievement of this section, was awarded to Angelos Rallis for film “Afarin in Era of Flood”.
Crystal Simorgh for best screenplay was awarded to Alessandro Bardani for movie “The Best Century of My Life”.
Next, a video of Alessandro Bardani was played, who explained about receiving this award and his feelings.
Crystal Simorgh for best director in this section was awarded to Alejandro Rojas and Juan Vasquez for film “On Arrival”.
The special prize of jury of Saadat Cinema section was awarded to Mahmoud Kalari for film “Summer of the same year”.
After receiving award, he said: Thank you very much. I request producer of film, Mr. Oji, to come here. This film would not have been made without his support.
Simorgh, best film in this section, was awarded to Stephan Komandraf for film “Beh Darshaye Blaga”.
Then a video of this director was played in hall.
In continuation of this ceremony, Mohammad Khazaei, head of cinema organization, appeared on the stage with his two daughters and kissed his little daughter’s scarf amid applause of audience.
Khazaei said: During corona and post-corona period and disturbances that had occurred, Iranian cinema was on the verge of closure and continued to live with artificial respiration. Fortunately, it has recovered and is in good condition today. Audiences who were angry with cinema saw this year’s movies. The revival of Iranian cinema was achieved with good sales, and some friends criticize why some works were left empty, and I say that if we consider cinema as a family where father has not paid house rent and mother is sick, you What do you do as a family? Do you read Shahnameh to children of family in such a situation?
The head of cinema organization emphasized: For friends who criticize why some films are not included, I must say that we should have fixed economy of cinema first and deal with other issues in future programs.
Khazaei reminded: In the last 40 years, 570 cinema halls were built, and 250 cinema halls have been added to it with efforts of government. All our efforts are to increase cinema halls to a thousand halls by end of government, which is a good leap in cinema.
He continued: Despite the fact that some people think that Iranian cinema productions are dormant, more than 4300 short documentaries, telefilms, films, etc. have been produced in Iranian cinema. Also, blackness has disappeared from Iranian cinema, but this does not mean that different genres are not strengthened in cinema, we need different works. The cinema should see good, ugly and filth, and I hope we will see good works in cinema; Works in compliance with our principles and Sharia issues. I put forward a slogan that film organization is going by and don’t ask us to violate it.
Khazaei said: I am mentioning this point while reminding Mr. Amini’s words that 6 thousand 100 million Tomans loans have been provided by Mr. Amini for cinema residents.
After that, Iranian music singer, Mohammad Motamedi, performed live with his group of musicians.
Continuing, Shahidi Fard paid tribute to cinema’s deceased and said: We pay tribute to those who sat in this hall and on chairs years ago, but now only their memory is with us.
Then a clip of memories of Iranian cinema and the deceased people of Iranian cinema was played.
In continuation of this ceremony, clip of Iran’s national competition was aired, and with this clip, presentation of award of national view section began, first award of which belonged to special award of Martyr Sardar Qasem Soleimani.
Mohammad Mahdi Esmaili, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Zeinab Soleimani, daughter of Martyr Qasem Soleimani, Mohammad Khazaei, head of film organization, and Mojtaba Amini, secretary of festival, came to present special National Look Award to Hajj Qasem Soleimani.
Simorgh was awarded the best film from national point of view and Martyr Qasem Soleimani Award was awarded to Habibollah Valinejad, producer of film “Asman Gharb”.
After receiving this award, Valinejad stated: Mr. Asgari did not sleep for hours to make this film and was bored. They were on their way to participate in ceremony but did not arrive. I thank you on their behalf. We are proud to receive this award because we made a film about someone who was a soldier.
Honorary Goharshad diploma, special award of Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance was awarded to Ansieh Shahhosseini for movie “Missing Hand”.
Goharshad Crystal Simorgh was awarded to Habibollah Valinejad for movie “Ahmad”.
After receiving award, Habibollah Valinejad invited Amir Abbas Rabiei to come on stage and said: Working night and day was done to make movie “Ahmad”. This film was very difficult and required a lot of support. Without special help, this film would not have been made. I kiss Mr. Rabiei’s hand because he was by my side in most difficult situations to make a film about Haj Ahmed. Martyrs have been martyred, but now there are those beside us that we should appreciate. Sardar Hajizadeh was with us in all stages of production of this film and I am grateful to him.
In continuation of this ceremony, Mohammad Mahdi Esmaili, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, said: This is an important honor for people of culture and art of this country, that on such glorious days, the Iranian nation won its independence, freedom, justice and ideals in form of revolution. delivered
Esmaili noted: I have to thank for great event that we witnessed this year. The culture and art family experienced its most prosperous period. From the beginning of the year until today, no day of the year was spent by people of culture and art unless they experienced a magnificent event.
Minister of Guidance added: Today is celebration of culture and art in our dear country. Iranian cinema is experiencing these glorious days along with all cultural and artistic fields. This year, we had more than 1100 billion in sales and nearly 27 million viewers and construction of nearly 13 cinema halls, which are part of proud record of cinema.
He said: This year’s Fajr festival was closer to great aspirations of Iranian people than previous festivals. The enthusiastic presence of veterans, the first films, etc., made Iranian society glorious days and nights. This year’s Fajr Film Festival was held in all provinces and Iran’s great celebrities were honored. Topics such as nationalization of oil industry, incident and great movement of 15 Khordad(5 June 1963), glorious event of caravan of prisoners of Karbala, image of doctors of holy defense, image of great cultural figures, etc. were seen in this year’s films.
Esmaili noted: I have a place here to thank selection board and jury and all producers, institutions, personalities, Tehran Municipality, Sedavasima, etc.
In the end, he said: The important news that we presented this year with support of President and First Vice President was construction of largest cultural and artistic complex for Fajr Festivals of Islamic Revolution. The construction of this great work will begin in cultural passage of Tehran. We hope to present this collection to artists by celebration of 50th anniversary of revolution. Also, God willing, atmosphere of empathy, convergence, hope, morality and spirituality will be established in Iranian Islamic cinema.
Next, a clip of lasting films of Iranian cinema in last 40 years was played in hall.
Then, with a clip from films of this period of festival, awards ceremony of national section of Iran began.
In the following clip, members of selection board, including Dariush Arjamand, Mohammad Reza Abbasian, Hossein Zandbaf, Ruhollah Sohrabi, Mohammad Hossein Niromand, Ahmed Muradpour and Mohammad Hossein Latifi, were introduced.
In the other section, the films in New Look section were shown.
Mohammad Hadi Karimi, Pouran Derakhshandeh, Mohammad Hossein Latifi, Abdul Hamid Qadirian, Shahab Esfandiari, Mehdi Fakhimzadeh and Bahram Azimi, jury of national section, came on stage to award Souda Simorgh and New Look awards.
Crystal Simorgh special award of jury of first film was awarded to Ali Taherfar for film “Aparatchi”.
After receiving award, he said: I don’t thank anyone. The image of a bloody hand in Fajr decade has remained for all of us. Let us know that if a hand is raised today, it is because of bloody hands that were raised in February.
Crystal Simorgh for best director of New Look category was awarded to Javad Ezzati for movie “Bloody Crocodile”.
After receiving award, Javad Ezzati said: I am grateful to jury. It is obvious that we will fill place of Saman Lotfian and Abbas Jamshidifar, who are not in our group. I would have preferred to win this award for acting, but it did not happen. In last few years of my father’s life, I tried very hard and played best games of my life for them to see this scene, but it didn’t work.
Crystal Simorgh for the best first film was awarded to Ata Panahi for producing film “Parviz Khan”.
Crystal Simorgh and honorary diploma for best technical and artistic achievement of first film were awarded to Reza Keshavarz for film “Bagh Kianoush”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best visual effects was awarded to Mohammad Baradaran for movie “Ahmad”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best field special effects was awarded to Hamid Rasoulian for movie “Missing Hand.
After receiving award, Hamid Rasoulian said: I proudly present my award to father of Iran’s rockets, Sardar Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam.
Crystal Simorgh for the best face painting was awarded to Morteza Kohzadi for the movie “Ahmad”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best set design was awarded to Ghayab Amin Ashairi for movie “Summer of same year”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best costume design was awarded to Mehrnoosh Bayani for movie “Summer of same year”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best sound recording was awarded to Amir Ashegh Hosseini for movie “Heart of Raqqa”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best sound was awarded to Bahman Ardalan for movie “Western Sky”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best soundtrack was awarded to Majid Entezami for movie “Madman”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best editing was awarded to Hassan Hassandoost for movie “Parviz Khan”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best cinematography was awarded to Kohyar Kalari for film “Summer of same year”.
Shahidifard invited Mahmoud Kalari to be with jury when presenting this award.
Mahmoud Kalari, after presenting simorgh for best cinematography to his son, said: I have five simorghs at home and Kohyar has always seen them since he was a child, but to spirit of my mother, to whom I dedicated my film, none of them are as good as this simorgh. It did not make me happy.
The diploma of honor for the best animated film was awarded to Mohammad Mehdi Mashkouri for production of “Babai Ghaharman (Champion lamb)”.
The diploma of honor for the best screenplay was awarded to Ali Saghafi, for screenplay of movie “Parviz Khan”.
Crystal Simorgh for Best Supporting Actor was awarded to Behzad Khalaj for movie “Madman”.
After receiving award, Behzad Khalaj said: I am grateful to jury. I thank crew of “Madman” and “Bloody Crocodile”. I kiss the hands of my parents and dedicate this award to my sons Arshiya and Barbod, angels of my life.
The diploma of honor for best supporting actress was awarded to Mehro Nonahali for movie “Summer of same year”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best supporting actress was awarded to Shabnam Ghorbani for movie “Madman”.
Arasto Khoshrazm was awarded Crystal Simorgh for the best male role, while Saeed Poursamimi was honored for movie “The Morning of Execution”.
The diploma of honor for the best female lead was awarded to Sareh Rashidi for film “Ahmad”.
Crystal Simorgh for the best female lead was awarded to Maral Baniadam for movie Parveen.
Maral Baniadam, after receiving his award, said: As youngest member of this family, I want to say something. Today’s daughter is always tomorrow’s mother. It is the mother who makes it possible for sons to grow up. I dedicate this Simorgh to influential women and mothers of my country.
Crystal Simorgh for the best director was awarded to Behrouz Afkhami for movie “Morning of Execution”.
Behrouz Afkhami, after receiving his award, said: I have already said that quality of work of jury is revealed when candidates are selected, because Simorghs may change with one opinion. We were checking yesterday on Haft program what jury had left in candidates and we didn’t find anything remarkable. Before receiving this award, I received my award when “Morning of Execution” was nominated in eight categories. I present this award to Mohammad Reza Varzi fo movie Parvin.
Crystal Simorgh for the best film was awarded to Abbas Naderan for film “Madman”.
After receiving award, Abbas Naderan said: I have a special thanks to all good actors of movie “Madman” who stood with their hearts in most difficult conditions of this movie. I dedicate this Simorgh to four national heroes of my country Mehdi Zainuddin, Majid Zainuddin, Shahid Shiroudi and Ahmad Kazemi and I ask you to stand and cheer for these dear ones.
At the end of Arman Award, special award of Tehran Municipality, with presence of Festival Secretary Mojtaba Amini, Deputy Minister and Head of IRNA News Agency Ali Naderi, Seyyed Mohammad Hashemi, Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance and Amin Tawaklizadeh, Deputy Cultural and Artistic Director of Tehran Municipality, to film “Kianush Garden” ” devoted.
