Tehran Int’l Short Film Festival turns lens on Iran’s aging society
The 42nd Tehran International Short Film Festival (TISFF) is underway at the Iran Mall Cinema Complex, spotlighting themes of aging, solitude, and the erosion of familial ties. The event, running from October 19 through October 23, is directed by Behrooz Shoaibi, and carries the theme “Rationality and Intellectualism.”
The festival's opening day featured a selection of films addressing Iran's growing elderly population and the social challenges they face, IRNA reported. Official statistics indicate that approximately 60% of elderly Iranians, particularly women, live alone, a trend exacerbated by declining birth rates and shrinking household sizes. Among the notable films was ‘Tamaroz,’ directed and produced by Peyman and Pouya Inalouei. The social drama portrays an elderly man seeking companionship in his twilight years. Esmaeil Mehrabi's compelling performance as the isolated senior highlights the emotional depth of the narrative. The film subtly contrasts the dignity of old age with the profound need for human connection.
Another standout was ‘Goodbye Trash,’ an allegorical film by Bahman and Bahram Ark, produced by Mehdi Badrlou. The story centers on a solitary elderly Azerbaijani woman who forms an unusual bond with a garbage monster, symbolizing her emotional neglect. Mahrokh Rafizadeh's nuanced portrayal of the elderly woman captures the delicate balance between humor and pathos.
Festival juror Mirona Radu from Romania praised Iranian cinema for its "great honesty" and its ability to authentically depict family dynamics. She emphasized the festival's role in fostering a fair platform for both established and emerging filmmakers.