TEHRAN – The acclaimed dark comedy “World War III” is in the film lineup Iran unveiled last week to liven up theaters on Id al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Directed by Hooman Seyyedi, Iran’s submission to the international feature award at the 2023 Oscars is scheduled to premiere on Saturday.

Starring Mohsen Tanabandeh, the film is about Shakib, a homeless day laborer who never got over the loss of his wife and son in an earthquake years ago.

Over the last couple of years, he has developed a relationship with a deaf and mute woman, Ladan. The construction site on which he works today turns out to be the set for a film about the atrocities committed by Hitler during WWII. Against all odds, he is given a movie role, a house and a chance at being somebody. When Ladan learns about this, she comes to his workplace begging for help. Shakib’s scheme to hide her goes tragically wrong and threatens to ruin his newfound status and what seemed to be the opportunity of a lifetime.  

The film has been screened in numerous international events, including the 79th Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Orizzonti Award for best film and the Orizzonti award for best actor for Tanabandeh for his portrayal of Shakib.

It also won special jury prizes at the 2022 Tokyo International Film Festival and the Eighth Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) in Los Angeles.

Tanabandeh was picked as best actor at the latter event. 

The Id al-Fitr film lineup also comprises the musical “The Duet” by Arezu Arzanesh and the comedy “Mustachioed Daddy” by Edvin Khachikian.

The drama “3 Puffs” by Saman Salur and “Squad of Girls” by Monir Qeidi about women’s role in the 34-day resistance in Khorramshahr against the Iraqi invaders during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war also will premiere.

Photo: “World War III” directed by Hooman Seyyedi.

MMS/YAW