West LA Times

The UCLA Film & Television Archive will showcase Iranian and Iranian diaspora filmmaking with its Celebration of Iranian Cinema 2024 series, running over three weekends from June 14 to 30. The event features a selection of feature-length and short films that explore cultural divides and human experiences, spotlighting new directors while honoring the history of Iranian cinema.

The series begins on June 14 with the documentary “Joonam” (U.S., 2023), directed by Sierra Urich, which traces her family’s history through three generations of Iranian women. Urich and executive producers Liam LoPinto and Arian Moayed will attend in person. On June 15, the world premiere of the Archive’s restoration of “The Sealed Soil” (Iran, 1977) will be held, featuring an in-person conversation with director Marva Nabili. This film addresses themes of female resistance and is considered significant in Iranian cinema.

The following weekend includes Ali Zarnegar’s thriller “Cause of Death: Unknown” (Iran, 2023) on June 21, about a passenger van journeying to Tehran. Parviz Shahbazi’s “Roxana” (Iran, 2023), depicting young Iranians navigating a challenging world, screens on June 22. Behrooz Karamizade’s debut feature “Empty Nets” (Germany/Iran, 2023), about caviar smuggling, follows on June 23.

The final weekend features “Achilles” (Iran/Germany/France, 2023), directed by Farhad Delaram, on June 28; it tells the story of a man reconnecting with life through shared experiences with a political prisoner. Karim Lakzadeh’s “Dark Matter” (Iran, 2023), screening on June 29, combines elements from the French New Wave and Jim Jarmusch's style. The series concludes on June 30 with “In the Land of Brothers” (France/Iran/Netherlands, 2024), directed by Alireza Ghasemi and Raha Amirfazli; it presents episodes of an Afghan refugee family's struggle to settle in Iran.

Paul Malcolm, senior public programmer at the UCLA Film & Television Archive stated: "The resilience of Iranian filmmakers — indeed, of every Iranian fighting for freedom and freedom of expression in the face of ever-mounting repression since the advent of the Women, Life, Freedom movement in 2022 — has been awe-inspiring."

The event is funded by the Farhang Foundation. Alireza Ardekani, executive director at Farhang Foundation said: "Farhang Foundation is honored to be the sole sponsor... this long partnership reflects our commitment to promoting Iranian art and culture."

Films will include English subtitles. Screenings are held at Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum. All programs are free through June thanks to an anonymous donor's gift. For more details visit cinema.ucla.edu.