TEHRAN-Six Iranian short films will go on screen at the Fribourg International Film Festival, which will be held in the Swiss city from March 17 to 26. 

“Mrs. Iran's Husband” directed by Marjan Khosravi, “No Flowers” by Amen Sahraei and “The Two Lives of Sepideh” by Soha Niasti are among the films. 

“Mrs. Iran’s Husband” is about Sultan Mohammad’s kingdom, which is on the mountain, and it includes two wives, Iran and Sara and 11 children, and his flock of sheep. Like all rulers, he strives to maintain his power and assets, but the role and duty of maintaining his prestige and power lie mainly on the shoulders of his wives. To expand his territory, he intends to marry for the third time.

"No Flowers" chronicles the tale of a world where authorities have instituted a strict ban on all flowers. Refusing to accept this oppressive decree, a bold young woman takes a stand by defiantly adhering blossoms to walls, risking her life in the process. However, her daring actions unwittingly provoke the fury of a man consumed by anger, unearthing buried memories of unspeakable violence.

In "The Two Lives of Sepideh," the focus is on Sepideh, a woman who has recently launched her sewing workshop only to receive news that her mother has been diagnosed with dementia. Their emotional reunion after a decade of separation feels like a meeting between two strangers. This tender film delves into themes of fractured memories, rekindling relationships, and simmering grudges that resurface, turning their world upside down.

The festival will also screen “Mirage” by Atefeh Salehi, “Recurrence” by Ali Alizadeh and “The Last Whinny of a Horse that Had Dreamt of Becoming a Butterfly” by Mahdieh Mohammadi. 

In "Mirage," the narrative unfolds around an enigmatic young woman hitching a ride on a truck. As she interacts with the driver, memories of her troubled past and distant father come flooding back. Spending the night with the driver, a striking resemblance triggers something within her. Before dawn breaks, she delivers a fatal blow to the sleeping driver and vanishes into the night, leaving behind a mystery in her wake.

In "Recurrence," the narrative unfolds with a father caring for his ailing son, whose cow suddenly goes missing. Determined to locate the lost animal, the man embarks on a search, encountering a series of peculiar events along the way. As a mysterious planet draws closer to Earth, the film delves into an eerie and unsettling dreamlike realm.

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.

Photo: A scene from “The Last Whinny of a Horse that Had Dreamt of Becoming a Butterfly” by Mahdieh Mohammadi

SAB/