The Persian Film Festival Australia will bring a special touring program of Persian-language cinema to The Mercury on Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July. There will be two remarkable films that showcase the richness, diversity and cinematic legacy of Iranian storytelling. Both films will screen as Adelaide premieres and will be presented exclusively at The Mercury as part of the festival’s Australian tour.
On Friday 24 July, 6:30 pm there will be a screening of Mortician. Directed by Abdolreza Kahani, Mortician is a compelling and thought-provoking contemporary drama about a reclusive mortician who has been tasked with washing the bodies of recently deceased ex-pat Iranians in Canada. His world is turned upside down when he receives an unusual request from a dissident singer in hiding.
On Saturday 25 July, 4:00 pm The Stranger and the Fog (1974) will screen. Widely regarded as one of the landmarks of Iranian cinema, The Stranger and the Fog sees acclaimed director Bahram Beyzaie blend mythology, folklore and visual poetry in a captivating tale of identity, belonging and fate. Presented in a newly restored edition, the film offers contemporary audiences the opportunity to experience a seminal work of world cinema on the big screen.
Dr Amin Palangi, Director of the Persian Film Festival Australia, who founded the festival in 2011, said: “After such an incredible festival season, we wanted to give audiences across the country the chance to experience these two extraordinary films on the big screen. One is urgent and immediate, the other a restored classic that has shaped generations of filmmakers; together, they show the range and depth of Persian cinema. This tour is our way of bringing that experience beyond Sydney to communities everywhere.”
Sarah Lancaster, CEO of The Mercury said: “The Mercury is delighted to welcome the Persian Film Festival Australia to Adelaide and to provide local audiences with the opportunity to experience these exceptional works of Iranian cinema. Film festivals play a vital role in connecting communities with stories and perspectives from around the world, and this program offers a unique window into the richness, creativity and cultural significance of Persian filmmaking. We are proud to support the festival’s national tour and look forward to sharing these remarkable films with South Australian audiences.”
Tickets and further information is available from The Mercury (13 Morphett St, Adelaide SA 5000):
https://themercury.org.au/film-series/persian-film-festival
