Considering the crackdown on filmmakers (among other artists) the Iranian government has ‘indulged' into, it is by no surprise that a number of filmmakers of the country have decided to deal with the subject. Farhad Delaram also does so in his feature debut, in a film that focuses on a director, though, that has not been overly successful (as Panahi and Rasoulof for example) nor has enjoyed the ‘benefit' of martyrdom from international press. His approach is quite interesting.
Achilles is screening at Museum of the Moving Image, as part of the First Look 2024 program
Having abandoned filmmaking, Farid has been forced to work nights as an unlicensed orthodontist in a clinic, with the help of his doctor friend, Masoud. In there he enjoys the anonymity he needs, which has also led him, though, to alienating his wife, and to a constant anger about his situation, which he frequently channels...
Achilles is screening at Museum of the Moving Image, as part of the First Look 2024 program
Having abandoned filmmaking, Farid has been forced to work nights as an unlicensed orthodontist in a clinic, with the help of his doctor friend, Masoud. In there he enjoys the anonymity he needs, which has also led him, though, to alienating his wife, and to a constant anger about his situation, which he frequently channels...
- 3/17/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
From its opening moments, an Orwelleian gloom envelopes Iranian director Farhad Delaram’s debut feature Achilles. The prying forces of an authoritarian government are unseen yet omniscient. And jeopardy of liberty and life looms over everyday activities. In the wake of the ongoing Mahsa Amini protests that have engulfed Iran for a year now, Achilles is a poignant and stirring reminder of the freedoms we take for granted. Here is a piece of art, that in its very existence, is an act of courageous, foolhardy, noble rebellion.
Achilles was made under extraordinary circumstances. An alternative script was submitted to the censorious Iranian government because even as he was writing it, Delaram said his real script did not have a prayer of getting approved. The filming coincided with the thick of the nationwide Mahsa Amini protests in 2022 and informed the intent of the filmmakers if not the film itself. Two months...
Achilles was made under extraordinary circumstances. An alternative script was submitted to the censorious Iranian government because even as he was writing it, Delaram said his real script did not have a prayer of getting approved. The filming coincided with the thick of the nationwide Mahsa Amini protests in 2022 and informed the intent of the filmmakers if not the film itself. Two months...
- 9/25/2023
- by Ankit Jhunjhunwala
- The Film Stage
The ongoing plights of Iranian filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof — who were both released from prison earlier this year after months of detainment for crimes relating to their criticisms of the nation’s government — prompted renewed concerns about Iran’s authoritarian policies from the global film community. But the larger philosophical and geopolitical concerns about censoring filmmakers can make it tempting to view these men as mere symbols, ignoring the spiritual price they end up paying for their work.
Panahi’s latest film, “No Bears,” made the rounds on the international festival circuit in 2022, and he used the platform to issue frequent statements about the dangers faced by Iranian filmmakers who try to express themselves freely. Panahi and his many supporters often spoke about the paradoxical reasoning that allowed filmmakers to keep focusing on the very art that was putting their freedom in jeopardy. Being creative in an environment...
Panahi’s latest film, “No Bears,” made the rounds on the international festival circuit in 2022, and he used the platform to issue frequent statements about the dangers faced by Iranian filmmakers who try to express themselves freely. Panahi and his many supporters often spoke about the paradoxical reasoning that allowed filmmakers to keep focusing on the very art that was putting their freedom in jeopardy. Being creative in an environment...
- 9/15/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
New York-based sales company Visit Films has boarded “Achilles,” the Iran-set feature debut of Farhad Delaram, a promising filmmaker whose short “Tattoo” won the Crystal Bear in the Generation 14plus at Berlin in 2019.
“Achilles” is set to world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, followed by a European premiere at San Sebastian. The film follows Farid –nicknamed Achilles– a former filmmaker turned orthotic doctor, who works nights in Iran’s capital. One night, he is led to the hospital’s restricted psychiatric ward where he meets Hedieh, a political prisoner who has been institutionalized for years. Their unexpected connection sparks a daring escape, setting the stage for a transformative journey across Iran. The pair forge bonds with fellow citizens who share adversities, all while evading the relentless pursuit of government authorities.
The movie is headlined by Mirsaeed Molavian (“Tooman”) and Behdokht Valian (“Tattoo”). It’s produced by Saeed Shahsavari, Frieda Oberlin,...
“Achilles” is set to world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, followed by a European premiere at San Sebastian. The film follows Farid –nicknamed Achilles– a former filmmaker turned orthotic doctor, who works nights in Iran’s capital. One night, he is led to the hospital’s restricted psychiatric ward where he meets Hedieh, a political prisoner who has been institutionalized for years. Their unexpected connection sparks a daring escape, setting the stage for a transformative journey across Iran. The pair forge bonds with fellow citizens who share adversities, all while evading the relentless pursuit of government authorities.
The movie is headlined by Mirsaeed Molavian (“Tooman”) and Behdokht Valian (“Tattoo”). It’s produced by Saeed Shahsavari, Frieda Oberlin,...
- 8/28/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Swedish pic Mother, Couch! starring Taylor Russell and Ewan McGregor alongside Ellen Burstyn is one of the titles San Sebastian has set to compete for its New Directors award during its 71st edition, running September 22 — 30.
The film is from the debut feature filmmaker Niclas Larsson and follows three estranged children who are brought together when their mother refuses to move from a couch in a furniture store. The previously unannounced film is a US – Danish – Swedish co-production. Unlike the other titles announced today, the mystery project had no accompanying image.
Eleven productions from nineteen countries will compete for San Sebastian’s Kutxabank-New Directors Award. Of all the selected movies, seven are debut works, while the rest are second features. The Kutxabank-New Directors Award comes with a 50,000 euro cash prize divided equally between the director and the distributor of the film in Spain. Films in the New Directors section are also...
The film is from the debut feature filmmaker Niclas Larsson and follows three estranged children who are brought together when their mother refuses to move from a couch in a furniture store. The previously unannounced film is a US – Danish – Swedish co-production. Unlike the other titles announced today, the mystery project had no accompanying image.
Eleven productions from nineteen countries will compete for San Sebastian’s Kutxabank-New Directors Award. Of all the selected movies, seven are debut works, while the rest are second features. The Kutxabank-New Directors Award comes with a 50,000 euro cash prize divided equally between the director and the distributor of the film in Spain. Films in the New Directors section are also...
- 7/27/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Farhad Delaram worked as a scriptwriter for Iranian state television before he started as a director. Together with producer Dena Rassam he developed the idea for his seventh short film “Tattoo”. In 2017 Delaram’s “Away from home” was selected among the 10 best shorts in Iran.
A young woman wants to extend her drivers license. Little does she know, that her tattooed hand will lead to further, unpleasant investigation.
“Tattoo” is a clever film that illustrates bureaucratic procedures. From the beginning, the young woman is put under interrogation. Although no one claims that this is actually the case, she is guided through various stages of authorities and has to justify each time her tattoo and her broken middle finger. The interrogators are not squeamish and take advantage of their position, forcing her to strip down. Interestingly, Delaram is not only putting men in the position of power, but he is also...
A young woman wants to extend her drivers license. Little does she know, that her tattooed hand will lead to further, unpleasant investigation.
“Tattoo” is a clever film that illustrates bureaucratic procedures. From the beginning, the young woman is put under interrogation. Although no one claims that this is actually the case, she is guided through various stages of authorities and has to justify each time her tattoo and her broken middle finger. The interrogators are not squeamish and take advantage of their position, forcing her to strip down. Interestingly, Delaram is not only putting men in the position of power, but he is also...
- 2/18/2019
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
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