TEHRAN-Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran will screen the 2024 movie “Joker: Folie à Deux” directed by Todd Phillips on Sunday.

According to the center website, the film screening is set for 6 p.m., and it will be followed by a review session attended by Iranian film critics Kurosh Jahed and Amir Ghaderi.

The American musical psychological thriller film is loosely based on DC Comics characters and a sequel to “Joker” (2019). Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the Joker, with Lady Gaga as his love interest, Lee Quinzel, better known as Harley Quinn.

Zazie Beetz and Leigh Gill also reprise their roles, while Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Steve Coogan, and Harry Lawtey join the cast. It is produced by Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Joint Effort and was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

In the movie, the failed comedian Arthur Fleck, while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital and struggling with his dual identity, not only meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.

The first film premiered at the 76th Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Lion. It was a box office success and set records for an October release. It grossed over $1 billion, becoming the first R-rated film to do so, and it was the highest-grossing R-rated film until being surpassed by “Deadpool & Wolverine” in 2024. It was also the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2019. The film received numerous accolades, including two Academy Award wins at the 92nd Academy Awards for Best Actor (Phoenix) and Best Original Score out of 11 nominations including Best Picture, becoming the first DC film to do so. 

The sequel also premiered at the same festival, its 81st edition that was held earlier this year, but failed to repeat the critical and commercial success of the original film. 

SS/SAB