TEHRAN – “The Night Guardian” by Reza Mirkarimi has been selected as Iran’s submission to the forthcoming 96th Academy Awards in the best foreign-language film category.

A committee of nine film experts was assigned by Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation to choose the county’s submission to the Oscars race.

On Tuesday, the committee selected "The Night Guardian" from a shortlist of three films, the others being "Conjugal Visit" directed by Omid Shams and "The Town" by Ali Hazrati. 

Initially, the committee had narrowed down 42 eligible Iranian films to 15, before ultimately deciding on the final three.

Mirkarimi's film, which debuted at the Fajr Film Festival last year, garnered nine award nominations and ultimately won the best director category. 

Co-written by Mirkarimi and Mohammad Davoud, "The Night Guardian" follows the story of an innocent village boy whose carefree life is disrupted by his trust in a construction engineer. 

After leaving his village due to drought, Rasoul is relieved to find employment as a night guardian at a construction site. However, he soon discovers that something sinister is happening at the seemingly deserted location. As he becomes ensnared in the peculiar circumstances surrounding him, Rasoul finds himself trapped and in danger.

Since 1994, Iran has been a regular participant in the Oscars film category, with two wins under its belt for "A Separation" and "The Salesman," both directed by Asghar Farhadi. Two of Mirkarimi's films have previously been selected to represent the country: "So Close, So Far" in 2005 and "Today" in 2014.

On December 21, a shortlist of 15 films will be disclosed. The final nominations will then be announced on January 23, 2024, leading up to the 96th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, California, on March 10, 2024.

Photo: A scene form Iranian movie “The Night Guardian” by Reza Mirkarimi

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