A review of Iran's presence at international film festivals
The Oscars, Cannes, the Golden Globes, or Fajr and Hafez. In recent years it has often happened that an Iranian kisses the statuette of one of these festivals and, with a ring of tears in the eyes, bows before those applauding. Many become immersed in pride and joy at this image. In contrast, a group does not consider excessive attachment to these awards and red carpets to be in cinema's interest.Which group is right? It is true that festivals make a director and their country seen in the world, but excessive attention to festivals' criteria distances films from the needs of the audience and society. Statistical data also confirm that festivals can at times steer cinematic productions toward bitter social films with bleak-portrayal plots.
On the other hand, cinema needs to be recognized in order to progress. With the backing of festival awards, a filmmaker will both perform relatively successfully in domestic sales and meet with box-office reception in other countries, and through international sales can earn considerable revenue.
In your view, which of these two groups is right? Supporters of festival cinema, or those who consider festivals to be of lesser importance?
See the original infographic (Persian)
Machine-translated from Persian by Namafar; the Persian original is authoritative. Read the original in Persian