A Grand Night for Iranian Cinema at the Moscow Festival

The 38th Moscow International Film Festival concluded on Thursday night, June 30 (10th of Tir), with a memorable evening for Iranian cinema, as three awards were given to the film "Daughter" directed by Reza Mirkarimi. "Daughter," Mirkarimi's latest work, won the Best Film award at the Moscow Festival, as well as the Best Actor award for Farhad Aslani and the Audience Choice award. Mirkarimi, who has participated in the Moscow Festival multiple times, is a well-known filmmaker to Russian audiences; he previously won the Best Film award with his film "Just Like That" and expressed hope on stage after receiving the award for "Daughter" that he would win it for a third time with his next film. He also expressed happiness when receiving the Best Actor award on behalf of Farhad Aslani, celebrating their collaboration. The film tells the story of a young girl who, against her father's wishes, flies from Abadan to Tehran to say goodbye to a friend who is emigrating from Iran. The film narrates a familiar story that reflects the daily life of Iranian society; for this reason, it has been well-received in Iran and is currently attracting more viewers as it screens in cinemas. The film follows the style of Mirkarimi's previous works; it is simple and straightforward with an emphasis on details. Although not much happens in the film and the storyline is very linear, the filmmaker manages to engage the general audience with a shadow of melodrama that pervades the film, while also appealing to a more discerning audience with precise and professional details. The two sections of Abadan and Tehran are intricately connected with invisible lines of detail, forming a social film that, while not flawless, has an engaging and challenging atmosphere. In this year's competition section, thirteen films competed. Although there were no stunning masterpieces in this section, the Moscow Festival made significant efforts to gather various films from different countries, featuring diverse themes and stories, including films with LGBTQ themes that are not widely accepted in Russia. "Memories of a Train Driver" by Milos Radovic presents a strange tale about a train driver who has run over and killed many people, with a comedic theme set in a dark atmosphere about death, yet filled with a sense of life. It is one of the best films in the competition section, successfully exploring the lives of different generations in a tough profession in a light-hearted manner. "Dust" by Ralston Khawer from the Philippines belongs to the new wave of Philippine cinema: very raw and primitive films without attempts at beautiful and calculated shots, using a fluid camera to depict the bitterness of life. This time, several teenagers and children on the outskirts of the city are the main subjects of the film; it presents a very bitter and shocking atmosphere where violence seems to be part of this painful life. Although the rawness of the images and the lack of classical direction can sometimes be bothersome, "Dust" never fades from the viewer's memory with its shocking scenes. "The Monk and the Devil" by Nikolai Dostal from Russia, which was alongside "Daughter" in the critics' choice rankings, has a strange atmosphere and tells a stranger story about the concept of faith and miracles. The first hour of the film is very watchable, but the second half, when the monk confronts his inner devil, loses its appeal and becomes tedious.