TEHRAN- A lineup of six Iranian films will go on screen at the different sections of the 25th edition of Ojai Film Festival, which will run in the U.S. city from October 31 to November 4. 

“The Last Birthday” by Tehran-based Afghan director Navid Mahmudi will be screened at the Narrative Feature section of the festival. 

A joint production of Iran and Afghanistan, the film tells the story of Soraya, a female journalist, who has been trying to spread news of the difficult situation of Afghan women to the world for years. This issue exposes her career. Taliban forces surprise Soraya and her friends once they arrest her at home on her birthday. 

Iranian shorts “The Last Whinny of a Horse that Had Dreamt of Becoming a Butterfly” directed by Mahdieh Mohammadi, “The Gray, The Black” by Ashkan Sepehr and “My Beautiful Doll” by Hesam Dehghani are among the films. 

In "The Last Whinny of a Horse that Had Dreamt of Becoming a Butterfly," Yalda yearns to witness wild horses in their natural habitat before her time runs out. With unwavering dedication, her husband assists her in fulfilling this poignant final wish. This beautifully crafted narrative explores the beauty of fleeting moments and the enduring value of cherished memories, serving as a poignant reminder of life's preciousness.

The film “The Gray, The Black” tells the story of two young café owners, Behnam and Shayan, who run a café together. Behnam aspires to be a writer, while Shayan aims to grow the café's success to support his family living in a small town. To gain fresh ideas for his stories, Behnam begins eavesdropping on the conversations of customers in the café without their permission. This ill-advised action leads to dire consequences for both him and his partner.

“My Beautiful Doll” follows the story of Rojan, a 14-year-old Kurdish girl who is forced to marry an older man on her wedding night. In a desperate bid for freedom, she makes a perilous decision that will change her life forever.

The festival will also screen “It Turns Blue” directed by Shadi Karamroudi and “Destiny” by Yasser Talebi. 

“It Turns Blue” tells the story of Morteza, who beats up his 3-year-old daughter during one of her weekly visits. In an effort to manage the fallout, he turns to his older sister, Pari, for help. Pari tends to the child's injuries and then attempts to manipulate the girl's memories, framing the traumatic incident as a harmless game with her father.

The short documentary “Destiny” depicts the life of 18-year-old Sahar, who after the death of her mother, is left in charge of her poor, mentally disabled father in an isolated village in Iran. She dreams of going to university and becoming a doctor, but must play the role of caretaker unless her father remarries.

Now in its 25th year, the Ojai Film Festival has solidified its status as one of the nation's premier destination festivals, gaining both importance and prestige along the way. This four-day event is known for showcasing exceptional new films from both emerging and established filmmakers, playing a significant role in launching numerous careers over the past two decades. 

Photo: A scene from “The Last Birthday” by Tehran-based Afghan director Navid Mahmudi

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