The 2nd edition of World Cinema Amsterdam will take place from 10 to 21 August. With no fewer than 23 Dutch premieres of independent films from Asia, Africa and Latin America. A special Iranian program is also being put together in collaboration with the Iranian Film Festival.

Exclusive discussion with Golden Bear winner Ashgar Farhadi

For example, World Cinema Amsterdam and the Iranian Film Festival are organizing a special premiere on Thursday 11 August around the poignant 'A Separation'. This film by Iranian director Ashgar Farhadi ('About Elly') was the first Iranian film ever to win a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.
In 'A Separation' (Jodaeiye Nader az Simin) Farhadi sketches a compelling divorce drama that subtly confronts us with the complex relationships in Iranian society. The film, like 'About Elly', is situated in the modern Iranian middle class and shows the struggles between different social classes, and between man and woman.

On August 11, the premiere of 'A Separation' will be opened entirely in Iranian style by Parwin Mirrahimy of the Iranian Film Festival. After the film, Sahand Sahebdiavni will hold an exclusive talk with award-winning director Ashgar Farhadi, followed by a live performance by Shervin Najafian (known from the film 'Nobody knows about Persian Cats').

Taboo-breaking Iranian drama about women's love

In 'Circumstance', the American-Iranian director Maryam Keshavarz gives us a unique insight into the underground subcultures in Iran, and makes the burgeoning sexuality between two high school students the main theme of her film.
'Circumstance' (Sharayet) is the feature debut of Maryam Keshavarz, who was forced to shoot the film in Lebanon because of its controversial nature. 'Circumstance' tells the story of two Iranian teenage girls, Atafeh and Shireen, who together push the limits of the rules in Iranian society: they go out in Tehran's underground club scene, dream of a carefree life in wealthy Dubai and discover the sexual attraction that prevails between them.

On Friday 19 August you can experience the open air performance of 'Circumstance' during the World Cinema Amsterdam Open Air program at the Marie Heinekenplein.
Maryam Keshavarz will also be personally present.
In collaboration with the Iranian Film Festival, the Persian Midsummer Dance will then take place in Rialto, where DJ Ishtar will play an exotic mix of Western and Eastern beats.

World Cinema Amsterdam

After a successful first edition with over 6,100 visitors, World Cinema Amsterdam, an initiative of Rialto, will take place for the second time this year. The festival screens more than forty independent films from Latin America, Africa and Asia, and film directors from all over the world will also be present.
In addition, from 17 to 20 August, the Marie Heinekenplein in the Amsterdamse Pijp will be transformed into an open-air cinema. Four new films can be seen here for four evenings. From 7 pm the audience is warmed up with music and at sunset, around 9:30 pm, the film starts. Entrance is free.

For more information: www.worldcinemaamsterdam.nl



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