INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN – Iranian drama “Winners” has garnered the audience award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland.Speaking at
the closing ceremony held last week, Iranian-British director Hassan Nazer said, “Winning the audience award at EIFF means everything to
I have been working towards this since I decided to become a filmmaker
I make films for the audience and will continue to do so.”He added, “It’s a great thing to be part of an ethnic minority living in
Scotland where your vision is a mix of your background and new home
My aim is to always tie my cultures together and celebrate diversity through cinema
I’m very thankful our work has been recognized by Screen Scotland and EIFF.”The story of the film is set in a deprived area of a small
Iranian town where children are required to work to help support their families
Nine-year-old Yahya is one such child, his little hands scouring through massive piles of junk in search of hidden treasures
One day, Yahya strikes literal gold by finding an unclaimed Oscar statue, the curious item leading the boy into an adventure-filled
journey.The award for best feature was given to “A Cat Called Dom” by Scottish animators Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson.Albeit
framed as a film for Will’s mother, we too are invited to witness how Will deals with the grief of his mother’s cancer
The duo work on their animations and face the frustrations of trying to make this documentary
Whilst alone, Will turns to DOM, the animated cat that lives on his laptop screen.The jury composed of Gaylene Gould, Rosie Crerar and Sarah
Winman awarded Maha Haj’s brilliantly realized black comedy, “Mediterranean Fever”.The film is about Waleed who dreams of a writing
career while suffering from depression
He develops a relationship with his neighbor - a small-time crook
While the scheme turns into an unexpected friendship, it leads them into a journey of dark encounters.Photo: A scene from “Winners” by
