Svend Bolstad Jensen CEO of the Norwegian Company, Arthaus, which is located at Oslo.
Is this your first time that you experience participating Fajr International Film Festival?
I came to Tehran, to the Iranian Film Market fourteen years ago. The previous time that I came it was in February in which it was cold close to the Berlin International Film Festival which is at the much colder time of the year, so I think this time is much better and warmer. Warmer in two senses; both the weather and the atmosphere in Tehran, the people seem more relaxed and happy. I think Tehran is more colorful and happier at this time of year.
This is the second edition of the festival which is being held separately from the national section, how do you see this event?
To me is not that much a great matter although I think it is better to hold the national section simultaneously with the national section because as a guest I prefer to see more Iranian films like a normal audience to explore the new trends of filmmaking in Iranian cinema, and the last time I was here the market was held separately from the Fajr Festival, but I think it is a great idea to hold the market side by side with the Fajr International Film Festival.
Some of the new Iranian films were screened in IFM and also the festival, how did you enjoy them?
I have seen eight to ten films all of which were Iranian films and they were all screened in the market section, but I missed the ones being screened in the festival section. I am so bad with remembering titles. I am looking forward to watch more Iranian films at the Cannes International Film Festival.
How much are you familiar with the Iranian cinema?
My company has distributed a lot of Iranian films, we are quite experienced as we have been in this business for about twenty five years and we have released films from Abbass Kiarostami, Asghar Farhadi and so many other Iranian films as well. I do not know all about the Iranian films, but I do like the way that the Iranian films are more based on poetry and art rather than common ways of storytelling.
The 34th edition of Fajr International Film Festival was held from April 20th to April 25th, 2016 in Charsou Cineplex, under the supervision of the well-known Iranian filmmaker, Mr. Reza Mirkarimi, who is also the Managing Director of Khaneh Cinema.
