TEHRAN- The 1996 American documentary film “Looking for Richard” directed by the renowned actor Al Pacino will be screened at the cinematheque of the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) in Tehran on Wednesday.

The screening, set for 5 p.m., will be followed by a review session with Abbas Ghaffari as the host and theater instructor and critic Ramtin Shahbazi, ISNA reported.

Pacino's directorial debut explores William Shakespeare's lasting impact in pop culture, particularly the playwright's highly regarded “Richard III”. The documentary includes on-the-street interviews with ordinary people and academic perspectives from Shakespearean scholars such as Barbara Everett. Actors such as Kenneth Branagh, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey and Winona Ryder talk about preparing to play key scenes of “Richard III,” which come staged with Pacino in the title role.

The film explores a broader examination of Shakespeare's continuing role and relevance in popular culture. Al Pacino won the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Documentaries.

Pacino plays both himself and the title character Richard III. The film guides the audience through the play's plot and historical background. Pacino and several fellow actors, including Penelope Allen and Harris Yulin, act out scenes from the play.

In addition, the actors comment on their roles. Pacino also features other actors famous for performing Shakespeare, such as Vanessa Redgrave, John Gielgud, Derek Jacobi, James Earl Jones, and Kevin Kline. 

Al Pacino, 84, is considered one of the greatest and most influential actors of the 20th century. He has received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, achieving the Triple Crown of Acting. He has also received four Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2001, the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2007, the National Medal of Arts in 2011, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2016.

Pacino went on to receive the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “Scent of a Woman” (1992). His other Oscar-nominated roles were in “The Godfather” (1972), “Serpico” (1973), “The Godfather Part II” (1974), “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975), “...And Justice for All” (1979), “Dick Tracy” (1990), “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992), and “The Irishman” (2019). 

His other notable roles include “Scarface” (1983), “The Godfather Part III” (1990), “Carlito's Way” (1993), “Heat” (1995), “The Devil's Advocate” (1997), “Insomnia” (2002), “Ocean's Thirteen” (2007), and “House of Gucci” (2021) among others.

SS/SAB