TEHRAN – “Until Tomorrow” by Iranian director Ali Asgari was awarded an honorable mention at the 18th edition of the Zurich Film Festival as the organizers of the Suisse festival announced winners on Saturday evening.

A co-production from Iran, France and Qatar, the film was screened in the feature film competition, which was judged by a jury comprising Asghar Farhadi, as president, and Clio Barnard, Daniel Dreifuss, Petra Volpe and Piodor Gustafsson.

The film is about Fereshteh who studies and works in Tehran. But what her parents don’t know is that she also has a two-month-old daughter out of wedlock. When they announce a spontaneous visit, she has to take the child somewhere else for a night. This would not normally be a problem – but with the pressure of time, the plan proves to be a difficult undertaking. With the help of her quick-witted roommate Atefeh, Fereshteh embarks on an odyssey through the city. 

Told over the course of one day, the film impressively shows what it means for people in Iran to live outside traditional family structures – and how the intrepid generation of Millennials is putting the patriarchal value system to the test.

“The Kings of the World” by Laura Mora won the Golden Eye for best feature film. It is a co-production of Colombia, Spain, Norway, Luxembourg, Mexico and France.

“The movie was one of the first films we saw and it left us with unforgettable images and scenes,” the jury said in its statement. 

“‘The Kings of the World’ is meticulously crafted and brings us close to the young protagonists who fight for freedom and dignity. The lyrical film language infuses the harsh reality with a metaphysical dimension. It’s an important and powerful story about the marginalized in society,” they added.

“Stuntwomen”, a co-production between Switzerland and France by Elena Avdija, received the Golden Eye for best film in the Focus Competition.

The documentary portrays three women stunts in changing times and offers a look at how relationships of power and hierarchy between genders are anchored in bodies and shape them in the world of cinema.

The Golden Eye for best documentary was awarded to “Sam Now” by American filmmaker Reed Harkness.

In this documentary, a mother’s disappearance sends pain and mystery through her family. The film follows her son’s 25-year search for answers.

Photo: “Until Tomorrow” by Iranian director Ali Asgari.

MMS/YAW