Mehrjui to Make Film in Collaboration with Germany's ZDF

Dariush Mehrjui, the prominent Iranian director, plans to shoot his new feature film in collaboration with Germany's ZDF network and Iranian companies Simafilm and Baran Film. The film, titled 'Lost', will depict the lives of Iranian refugees residing in migrant camps in Germany. Mehrjui, born in 1940, took on the editorship of the 'Pars Review' magazine in Los Angeles after completing his philosophy degree in the U.S. He returned to Iran in 1966 and directed the commercial film 'Diamond 33', which faced comprehensive failure. In 1969, he established a new type of cinema in Iran with the film 'The Cow', alongside Masoud Kimiai's 'Qaisar'. Later, in 1989, he portrayed the lives of intellectuals in his film 'Hamoun', which was well-received by critics and audiences alike, often being voted as a favorite in various polls. In 1997, he adapted the beautiful story 'The Pear Tree' by Goli Taraghi, which has become one of the most memorable nostalgic films in Iranian cinema. This Iranian filmmaker has directed 17 feature films, five of which (Diamond 33, The Cow, Mr. Halo, The Postman, and The Circle of Mina) were made before the revolution, while the rest (The School We Went To, The Renters, Shirk, Hamoun, Lady, Sara, Pari, Leila, The Pear Tree, The Lost Cousin, Mix, and Bamani) were produced after the victory of the revolution. In 'Lost', Mehrjui addresses the story of a young Iranian couple who, due to issues and problems in their country, sell all their belongings to travel to Germany in search of better living conditions. However, during their stay in the camp, they encounter new challenges that create further issues for them. He has previously sought to explore the problems of young Iranian couples with a deep and sometimes philosophical perspective in films like 'Sara' and 'Leila'. Many consider Mehrjui to be a supporter of women's rights in Iran, and some even evaluate certain works of his as feminist. According to the news agency Mehr's website, 'Lost' is currently in the initial negotiation stage, and a joint production contract between the Iranian companies and the German network has not yet been finalized, nor is the investment share of the investors clear. However, if all technical and artistic stages of the work are completed, filming will begin this winter in Germany. Arash Irani for the Internet Unit, Persian Section of Voice of America.