TEHRAN – A lineup of movies by Iranian filmmakers is being screened in different sections of the 42nd Istanbul Film Festival underway in the Turkish city of Istanbul. 

The lineup includes “World War III”, Iran’s submission to the 2023 Oscars, which has been selected to be screened in the international competition.

Directed by Hooman Seyyedi, the film follows a downtrodden day laborer as he appears to be given the opportunity of a lifetime when he’s cast in a bad film about the Holocaust, only to have his life turned upside down. 

“Subtraction”, a co-production between Iran and France by Mani Haqiqi, has been picked to be screened in the Best of the Fests section.

The drama follows driving instructor Farzaneh, when she spots her husband on the streets of Tehran, even though he is supposed to be out of town on a business trip, she naturally suspects the worst. Following him, Farzaneh’s fears are seemingly confirmed when she sees him visiting another woman. With that woman’s husband also suspecting something is awry, the situation erupts into violence. Yet, all is not quite what it seems.

“Numb” by Amir Tuderusta is competing in the Young Masters category.

Pre-school is the first and last time boys and girls can learn together freely in Iran. “Numb” is set in a kindergarten and follows the curious little boy Roham. Roham falls in love with his classmate Rana and discovers the complicated secrets of her personal life all the while confronting the class bully.

“The Doll” has been selected to be shown in the Cinemania section.

Directed by Asghar Yusefinejad, the film tells the story of the aging family man Ayyub, who decides to marry a young woman when his wife of forty years, Shamsi, disappears under dubious circumstances. No one in the family seems to approve of this formidable and cheeky woman, because the new bride, Roya, is the caretaker of Ayyub’s mentally challenged adult son. As the wedding festivities drag on, the flavor is lost, while uninvited guests, the revelation of unpleasant secrets and true intentions upset the balance of the extended family.  

This section also features six shorts by Iranian filmmaker Maryam Tafakory, including “Nazarbazi”, “Poem & Stone” and “Fragments of a Letter to a Child Unborn”.

The Istanbul Film Festival, which is organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, will announce winners on April 18.

Photo: A scene from “Numb” by Amir Tuderusta.

MMS/YAW