Iran Film Week underway in Russia’s Astrakhan
The Iranian Film Week is being held for the second consecutive year in Astrakhan, Russia, celebrating the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. This cultural initiative, hosted at the Illyuzion theater, aims to bolster collaboration between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Astrakhan region.
The opening ceremony, which took place on January 30, was marked by speeches from key figures including Mehdi Akuchkian, the Consul General of Iran in Astrakhan, and regional officials such as Vladimir Galafkov, the head of International Relations Agency of Astrakhan, and Olga Prokofieva, the Minister of Culture.
Akuchkian highlighted the significance of cultural cooperation amidst what he described as a growing trend of cultural and media aggression by certain global powers.
He added, “In recent years, we have witnessed attempts to present distorted narratives of independent cultures and societies through media and cultural instruments.”
He further emphasized that cultural collaboration among independent nations—particularly those sharing values of peace, justice, and respect for cultural diversity—is essential in today’s world.
Galafkov echoed these sentiments, recognizing Iran as a principal trade partner of Astrakhan and asserting that bilateral relations are expanding not only in commerce but also in cultural and humanitarian spheres. He underscored the importance of the Iranian Film Week in deepening these ties and expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Iranian Consulate in making such events possible.
In a similar vein, Prokofieva pointed out the importance of enhancing human connections between Iran and Russia.
She noted the successful participation of Iranian artists in the ‘The Seasons’ classical music festival and regarded cinema as a powerful medium for fostering mutual understanding of each country’s culture and history.
Prokofieva expressed optimism for continued cooperation in the cinematic realm.
This year’s film selection features socially themed narratives that reflect the everyday lives of Iranians, aiming to enhance the cultural understanding of the Astrakhan audience.
Akuchkian, in an interview with Astrakhan 24, shared his personal affinity for historical, social, and comedic films, underscoring cinema’s critical role in bridging the gap between the Iranian and Russian peoples. He also mentioned that Iranians have a keen interest in foreign films, particularly Russian productions that explore World War II themes.
As a well-established cultural event in Astrakhan, Iranian Film Week serves as a valuable opportunity to enhance cultural interactions and foster mutual understanding between the two nations. Both Iranian and Russian officials expressed hope for the further expansion of these collaborations, with cinema acting as a bridge to strengthen ties between their peoples.
Following the opening ceremony, the film ‘Sima’s Unfinished Narration’ was screened, with audience feedback collected post-viewing. The schedule for the upcoming days includes the film ‘No Prior Appointment’ on January 31, and ‘In the Arms of the Tree’ on February 1. Also, the animated feature ‘The Passenger from Ganora’ is set to be showcased on February 2.