Karim Nikoonazar

Zapata (Cousins)

The third outing for Danesh Eghbashavi was filmed with two iPhones, a small hand-held camera, a GoPro action camera, and the appreciable influence of Roger Corman. This rousing genre blend of comedy, detective story and mockumentary demonstrates that, even in the present day, independent film can incorporate aspects of the revolutionary gesture. In a brisk and complex way it tells a story which might suggest it was filmed by its protagonists as a live broadcast. The sophisticated narrative composition is akin to the process of opening out Chinese nested boxes – the characters know what is going to happen and they provide the appropriate commentary as well. Archive shots are also added to the mix. An explosive world premiere.

Taj Mahal

Hossein Moradi, a 60-year-old worker from Abadan, has many times been forced to fire his colleagues in the shipbuilding factory on the employer’s order. However, this time he decides to create a chance for the workers by drawing lots. He also volunteers to be fired so to save ones place. One of the workers protests and gets into a fight with Hossein. A few days later his children give him a ticket to India to visit with his wife. But after a coulpe days someone breaks into his house steals the compensation money and the tickets. Hossein suspects that angry worker.