#IFFIWood, 27 November 2024
The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) unveiled two cinematic jewels: the Iranian masterpiece ‘For Rana’, vying for the prestigious ‘ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal’, and the Romanian film, ‘The New Year that Never Came’, competing in the esteemed ‘International Competition’ category. Brought to life by visionary directors and producers, these films rise far beyond the realms of ordinary storytelling, embarking on profound journeys that delve into the essence of self-discovery, sacrifice, and the harrowing shadows of oppression and tyranny.
During the media interaction, Iman Yazdi, the Director of ‘For Rana’, shared that the film represents the struggles, weaknesses, and societal impact on the middle class. When asked about his experience at IFFI, he mentioned that the audience here truly values cinema, noting the excitement and connection people in India feel towards films. He explained that the choice of a thriller genre was driven by the portrayal of the father-son relationship, highlighting how societal pressures and circumstances influence individuals to make difficult decisions.
Meanwhile, Bogdan Muresanu, Director of ‘The New Year that Never Came’, described his film as a tragicomedy set against the backdrop of the Romanian Revolution, one of the few televised revolutions of that time. Muresanu mentioned the challenges while creating a period drama including the need for doing extensive research on the subject and that he was intrigued by the irony of history which motivated him to make this film. Reflecting on his IFFI experience, he said that cinema offers a universal language, allowing people from different countries to connect with and understand each other.
About the films:
- For Rana: Aref lives with his wife and daughter, Rana, and dreams of breaking the world record for the motorcycle ramp jump. However, as he prepares for this ambitious goal, he becomes caught up in family events that force him to confront a difficult dilemma.
- The New Year that Never Came: After decades of brutal oppression under Ceaușescu’s dictatorship, Romania is on the verge of revolution. Amid street demonstrations and student art mocking the regime, families secretly struggle with personal conflicts and the ever-present Secret Police. In a single day, six seemingly unrelated lives intersect, revealing the absurdities of living in fear while holding onto hope for change. As tensions escalate, a pivotal moment unites them, leading to the dramatic fall of Ceausescu and the communist regime.
Watch the Press Conference here:
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PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Rajith/Athira/Bineet/Darshana | IFFI 55 – 106
