Iran Film Festival in Colombo

Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena this week said the Government of Iran has gifted five films this year as a symbol of the friendship between two countries. These films are award winning and internationally acclaimed films. Iran films have a great influence on the Sri Lankan movie industry.

The Minister was addressing the inauguration of Iran Film Festival which was held at the National film Corporation Tharangani Theatre, Colombo. It was organised by the Iran Cultural Centre to mark the 44th Anniversary of the Victory of Islamic Revolution of Iran.

Films such as Memory of the Teacher, Mangrove, Story of my father’s bike and me, Loneliness were screened from 6-11 February 2023

Islamic Republic of Iran Ambassador Hashem Ashjaazdseh said he is happy to hold an Iran film festival in Sri Lanka for the second consecutive year and film and cinema are a combination of many artists, where literature, drama and music is crystallised together in cinema and films.

He thanked the Mass Media Minister, Film Corporation Chairman Deepal Chandraratna and SLRC Chairman A.B. Ganegala for their corporation.

Iran Cultural Centre Cultural Counsellor Bahman Moazamil said the attraction of Iranian films is great for Sri Lankan artists and people. Although it is a sign of this deep understanding of Iranian artists and directors, it is also a sign of the Cultural Commonality of two nations.

He pointed out Cinema is a part of Iranian art such as literature, painting, architecture, music etc.  He also remembered the late Dr. Sumitra Peiris contribution to Sinhala Cinema for many decades.

A portrait of late Sumithra Pieris was handed over to her niece, Gayathri Mustaashi by Islamic Republic of Iran Ambassador Hashem Ashjaazdseh.  

 Text and pix by 

Ruzaik Farook