Iranian films have made their mark for decades and the stories and narration style have all been admired by the international audience.
A joint venture of Iranian and Omani film production has reached its final touches. This is the first joint venture of this kind. By next month the film is expected to hit the screens with Arabic subtitles.
The film, 'Exchange', is the first joint feature film, and it is between Simorgh Khatereh Tara Film Institute in Iran and the Omani company Global Focus Foundation for Film Production and Distribution. Omani producer and director Mohammed al Kindi has collaborated with the producer and director Yasser Ahmadi of Iran.
The film was developed from a 20-minute short feature film entitled Saraleesh, which won international awards, including the lIFT Festival in India, for the best director and best cinematography, at Al Batinah International Film Festival for the Special Jury Prize, the Bulgarian Festival, the Sofia film festival for the best film, and in the Muscat International Film Festival. And the child won the award for best actress.
The film raises important humanitarian issues, the most important of which are women's and children's rights. It is a social topic filmed in Isfahan Province, central Iran.
The idea of co-production in the development of the short narrative film came after the film won the Women and Children Festival in Oman and after the meeting that took place between the two directors in Oman, and came up with the idea of developing it from a short 20-minute film to an hour-long feature.
The duo has been working on shots previously filmed and processed artistically with precision and care.
The director, Mohammed al Kindi, visited the shooting sites and discussed with the director, Yasser Ahmadi, to agree on the amendments to the script first and then work on it in the montage unit to work on technical operations such as image and sound, audio and visual effects, as well as translating the film into Arabic.
"We expect participation in international festivals starting from next month, bringing with it the new name 'Mubadala' and with a new vision in presenting humanitarian subjects, especially those of concern to the issues and rights of women and children," said Mohammed.
He added, "The concept and direction are lovely. My part has been in enhancing the film from 20 minutes to one hour and in the editing aspect. I have also been looking into the translation of the film. I have been looking forward to working in collaboration, and this has been an excellent opportunity. It is a good film that has been filmed well." The Iranian director, Yasir Ahmadi, said that he is happy with this joint cooperation, which will undoubtedly enhance the artistic and cultural relations between the two countries.
"Especially since the Sultanate of Oman is considered a tourist and commercial destination for the Iranian people, due to its excellent cinematic film production capabilities at the Gulf and Arab levels, due to the diversity of archaeological sites, picturesque nature, mountains, deserts, ancient and modern paintings, and houses, as well as contemporary infrastructure while preserving the ancient architectural character," explained Ahmadi.
What he finds fascinating is also the commitment to the diverse national dress, male and female, in all locations, which depicts the Omani social life and characteristics.
"No matter how diverse global production is in Oman," he noted.
The Omani-Iranian relations in the technical and cultural fields are strong due to the presence of common denominators in various fields.
The Iranian director, Yasir Ahmadi, said that he is happy with this joint cooperation, which will undoubtedly enhance the artistic and cultural relations between the two countries.
The Sultanate of Oman is considered a tourist and commercial destination for the Iranian people due to its excellent cinematic film production capabilities at the Gulf and Arab levels. The reason for it is Oman's diversity of archaeological sites, picturesque nature, mountains, sands, ancient and modern paintings, and houses, as well as contemporary infrastructure while preserving the ancient architectural character. Wonderful with his commitment to the diverse national dress, male and female, in all locations, which serves the artwork to show Omani social life and address its issues with an Omani specificity. No matter how diverse global production is in Oman.
'Exchange', producers are Yaser Ahmadi, Mohammed al Kindi, and the writer Behrouz Bagheri. Yaser Ahmadi directs the film with Behrooz Bagheri, and the director's consultant is Zohre Kazemi. The cinematography is by Ali Hosseinzadeh, and the actors are Hojat Najafpour, Fareed Salvati, Maryam Rezaei, Leila Sakhizadeh, Atna agha Alian, Yahya Yaqoubi, Mohsen Afghan, Atfeh Afghan, and Parisa Hedayati. The project manager is Simorgh Khatere Tara Film Institute.
"I am also very happy to cooperate with the producer and director Mohammed al Kindi, as he has experience in processing cinematic works, which enabled us to develop the feature film from a short to a feature film. Therefore, this cooperation will open for us and others to come up with joint works, and their filming will be in Oman for the reasons I mentioned, or between Oman and Iran," concluded Ahmadi.
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