UniFrance Founde: FIFF great opportunity to introduce Iranian cinema

Talking to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reporter on the sidelines of the 36th edition of Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF), which kicked off officially in Tehran on Thursday, Isabelle Giordano, the general director of UniFrance said this prestigious gathering is a great opportunity to become familiar with the Iranian cinema's potentials.

She also said introducing the French cinema to the Iranian people is among her goals to attend the festival.

Pointing to the internationally-acclaimed Iranian film director late Abbas Kiarostami, she said Kiarostami spent most of his life in France and had profound relationship with French cinema.

She described late 76-year-old award-winning scholar Kiarostami who succumbed to a stroke in Paris in 2016, as a great master in the world of cinema.

Referring to Asghar Farhadi's cinematic achievements, she described Farhadi as a capable artist who is seeking to introduce the real spirit of Iranian cinema.

Referring to the participation of more than 50 countries in the festival, she hailed the organizers of the festival for holding such interesting cinematic event in Tehran.

She also voiced her willingness to encourage everyone, the French nationals in particular, to come and visit Iran.

She said the festival is a best way to introduce the Iranian cinema to the foreign guests which have been invited to the gathering.
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eferring to the massive participation of Iranian people, the youth generation in particular, in the festival, she said:' It is very interesting for me that cinema seems significant for Iranians.'

Presided over by writer-director Reza Mirkarimi, the 36th edition of Fajr International Film Festival will continue until April 27.

The event organizers expect to receive over 300 special guests from around the world, ranging from filmmakers to screenwriters, actors to activists.

A host of A-listers are also scheduled to attend, including legendary Italian actor Franco Nero and influential American film director Oliver Stone.
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