TEHRAN -- Rafi Pitz, the director of the film “It’s Winter”, said that making films exclusively for international festivals is a big mistake, adding, “Iranian filmmakers were active before foreigners became interested in them,” the Persian service of IRNA reported on Saturday.

“It’s Winter” is an entry to the competition section of the 24th Fajr International Film Festival.

At the question and answer session after the screening of his film, Pitz stated, “Iranian films are made to be watched, and they express the opinion of each filmmaker. If it were not so, the filmmaker would not be successful.

“There has always been a dispute over the issue of artistic and commercial films in Iran. Artistic films need festivals to be screened, but if we only thought about making films for festivals, we should change our occupation.”

“It’s Winter” is based on Iranian author Mahmud Dowlatabadi’s story “Journey”, and its soundtrack features the song “Winter” sung by Mohammadreza Shajarian.

Pitz pointed out that he is fond of contemporary literature and writers, especially Akhavan Salis.

The film’s title was derived from a poem by Mehdi Akhavan Salis. The movie is set in the period before Iran’s Islamic Revolution and tells the story of Mokhtar, a young blacksmith whose workshop is closed and who must then reluctantly move to find a job.

Producer Mohammad-Mehdi Dadgu said that the film’s theme is universal, since everyone is trying to improve his status in life. “Poverty and financial problems exist throughout the world, but this film discusses the issue in the Iranian context.”

He added that the participation of the film along with five more Iranian works in the 56th Berlin International Film Festival (February 9-19), is a positive thing which will help improve the status of Iranian films at international events.

He also expressed hope that the film would hit silver screens in Iran in spring.