Ute Hall from university of Basel, Switzerland is one the international guests of the 34th FIFF. she believes that during her visit she has thought a lot about Iranian culture and cinema and is looking forward further cooperation.
According to the public relations office of the 34th Fajr International Film Festival, Ute Hall, Professor of Media Studies in University of Basel who is one the international guests of the festival in an interview highlighted the advantages of holding international events such Fajr in Iran and insisted on her interest for cooperation between Iranian and her country.
Since it is your first time in Iran, I would like to know what you think about being present here in FIFF.
I find Iran very interesting, the hospitality is great, everyone is so helpful. What we see in Iran is very different from what we have heard, for example different from what we have heard in Germany. And I find that you have a quiet large variety of films, so many different things and aspect to see. This trip was very informative; I mean I learned a lot about your country.
Did you enjoy watching the movies?
Yeah, first I have to say that I really like the program, very different things and we see that a lot of different movies are coming and the new generation is emerging with different kinds of movies. And though they are tackling issues locally, but I think your movies can be very interesting for European audience.
I suppose you were very familiar with Iranian cinema, before coming her. Is there anything specific about Iranian cinema, which your audiences really like?
Yes and as a matter of fact I should be. You know in Basel University we started working on other cinemas, I mean cinemas of other countries and as a result we watched lots of movies, Iranian ones included.
I think on the one hand Iranian cinema is appreciated for its formalistic values, for example in Kiarostami films. Of course they mostly see the poetical side of the movie not the political side. And of course Farhadi is admired with his more complex stories. I think the movies help know about Iran’s history, especially its history in the last 40 years. You know there is the idea that life in Iran is very difficult and making movies is also difficult. But watching Iranian movies shows us that not all this is true and there are lots of things to learn.
Do you think your university can help introducing Iranian cinema and if so, how?
Sure, we will invite filmmakers in the future to our university and will show their movies and we will work with other universities also, so that we can introduce more of Iranian cinema to our audience. You know this program has two sides, first we have to make contacts with Iranian filmmakers and then to bring people from Switzerland and Germany here to watch the movies and see the society.
And how do you see the festival organization?
I think it is incredible, the guests you have invited and the way we were invited and also the program is very excellent. At the beginning it didn’t seem very easy, but now we see how easy it is to get to the cinemas or market. How easy it is to get tickets though we don’t know Farsi. You know my Farsi is very bad and I am at early stages of learning it. I think everybody is very happy here. I thank the festival for it’s extremely generosity towards its visitors.
The 34th edition of Fajr International Film Festival is being held from April 20th to April 25th, 2016 at Charsou Cineplex, under the supervision of the well-known Iranian filmmaker, Mr. Reza Mirkarimi, who is also the Managing Director of Khaneh Cinema.
For more information on Fajr International Film Festival, visit the festival website, www.fajriff.com.
