Iranian films get kudos in Malaysia
Cultural Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Malaysia, Habib Reza Arzani, announced a 100% sales and overwhelming reception of Iranian films by Malaysians.
Arzani highlighted the simultaneous screening of the first part of the cinema festival in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, featuring the prominent Iranian artist Behrouz Shoaibi.
The second part, set to open on March 6 in Penang, will host Narges Abyar, a renowned Iranian writer and director.
With notable enthusiasm for Iranian films and a remarkable 100% capacity sale in cinema halls, Arzani expressed that this reception is unprecedented, surpassing the 28-30% reported for the Japanese and French film festivals.
Arzani emphasized the need to use this positive response for the effective promotion of Iranian cinema’s capabilities, aiming for serious planning in the distribution and sale of Iranian films, as well as agreements for co-production with Malaysia.
The Iranian Cultural Attaché in Malaysia added that the opening ceremony of the Iranian Film Festival in Penang would feature the screening of ‘Track 143,’ directed by Abyar, in the presence of Malaysian artists.
Arzani outlined planned activities, including speeches at the opening ceremony, meetings with prominent Malaysian filmmakers, and conducting educational workshops on introducing Iranian cinema’s capabilities.
The Iranian official emphasized that this year’s festival aims to strengthen cultural ties between Iran and Malaysia, introduce the national, religious, and moral values of the Iranian society, and foster artistic interaction among Muslim countries through film promotion.
Arzani noted that films such as ‘Henas’ (2022), ‘The Painting Pool’ (2013), ‘Track 143’ (2014), ‘Bodyguard’ (2016), ‘No Prior Appointment’ (2022), and ‘Today’ (2014) would be screened during the festival.
The festival opened on February 29 and will run through March 10 in Malaysia, organized by the Iranian Embassy in Malaysia, with support from the Iran’s Culture and Islamic Organization.