MSP Film Society Presents MSP Iranian Film Festival, August 19-21

Article by Becky Fillinger

Jesse BishopThe 2022 MSP Iranian Film Festival is returning August 19-21 to MSP Film at The Main. The Festival hasn't been in-person since 2019. We are blessed to have independent international cinema available in our community.

There may not be a better way to breakdown misunderstandings between cultures than to take an audience to – in this case, Iran – and show how life really is – how do they love, work and live? We talked to Jesse Bishop, Programming Director, about what we can expect from the lineup of films and other ancillary events. He gave us so many reasons to make the trip to 115 SE Main Street this weekend.

The lineup features 5 new Iranian films that can only be seen at the festival. The program offers moviegoers a chance to see new works by contemporary Iranian filmmakers depicting Iranian society, perspectives, and expressions as created by Iranian artists. Click on the film’s title to purchase tickets. All-access passes are also available. Festival highlights include:

ABSENCE was written, directed and starring Ali Mosaffa and it's a clever and absorbing mystery of family history and political intrigue. It has a classic Cold War era thriller vibe, with great characters, subtle humor and it will keep you guessing.

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THE MAJORITY is a melodramatic and often humorous morality tale that takes place in a rural village in pre-revolution Iran that has been struggling for years. News of the return of a now wealthy former resident sparks hope that she’ll enrich the town, however there's just one very big catch and a sacrifice must be made.

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A MAN OF INTEGRITY is a first-rate dramatic thriller by one of Iran's finest contemporary filmmakers, Mohammad Rasoulof. Rasoulof was recently imprisoned in Iran in a crackdown on artists and filmmakers. A Man of Integrity reveals the corruption and state cronyism at the heart of one of the most powerful and influential regimes in the Middle East.

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NO CHOICE follows three Iranian women from different backgrounds – a sixteen-year-old homeless girl forced into pregnancy, a human rights lawyer, and a physician – as their lives intersect in this powerful social drama from Iranian writer/director Reza Dormishian.

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ASTEROID is the sweetest film in the lineup. It's a tender drama that centers on 12-year-old Ebrahim, breadwinner for his rural Iranian family and their dreams to build a home and a better life. Set against the rich beauty of the desert, Asteroid observes Ebrahim’s wise demeanor amidst moments of childhood joy, and a quiet determination to help others.

The festival is organized in collaboration with the Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective. 

They are organizing other Iranian events for the Twin Cities in the coming months.