TEHRAN -- “Hussein, Who Said No”, director Ahmadreza Darvish’s movie about the uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) against the Umayyad dynasty in 680 CE, will hit Iranian theaters on Wednesday, a few days early to better brighten up Id al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of the month of Ramadan.

The film premiered at the 32nd Fajr International Film Festival that was held in Tehran in February 2104 and won five Crystal Simorghs in the categories of best film, best director, best composer, best cinematographer, and best costume and set designer.

The film has been dubbed into several languages, including Arabic and English.

The comedy drama “Guinness” by director Mohsen Tanabandeh was said to be the other choice for the Id al-Fitr, however it was screened a few weeks earlier to liven up the theaters during the month of Ramadan during which the number of moviegoers usually drops.

Three brothers who work on an ostrich farm decide to do something different and register the name of one of the ostriches in the Guinness Book of Records.

“Guinness” has sold over 10 billion rials (over $300,000) within the first two weeks of screenings.

Saman Moqaddam’s comedy drama “Sperm Whale” has notched up a big win at the box office in its 50 days of screenings with a total of about 60 billion rials (about $1.8 million). The film is about Arjang Sanubar, a 50-year-old man who shares his different and complicated experiences of love.

Reza Attaran plays the role of Sanubar and Mahnaz Afshar, Vishka Asayesh, Haneih Tavassoli, Reza Naji, Amir-Hossein Rostami and Nader Soleimani also star in the film.

Mostafa Kiaii’s social drama “Ice Age” comes next with about 6 billion rials ($183,000) during its fortnight screening and “Do Not Get a Reward from the President” by Kamal Tabrizi stands fourth with a total of 2 billion rials ($61,000).

Moreover, Tehran’s major theaters are offering overnight services for cinemagoers during the holy month of Ramadan to lessen the loss of box office receipts in the off-season during the month.

The innovative scheme known as “Azan to Azan” or “Iftar to Sahar” was initiated by movie theater owners in 2009, after they obtained approval from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

Photo: A poster for “Hussein Who Said No”

RM/YAW
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