Iranian films, Michael Moore and more at 2017 Tribeca Film Festival

May 4, 2017

Videos , Culture , Entertainment

Independent Source of News/Events for Iranians in Diaspora, Kodoom.com: Many Iranian fans of Robert De Niro may not know of the connection between De Niro's favorite film festival and Iranian movies this year.

Now in its 16th year, The Tribeca Film Festival is a cultural event for the new age of storytelling that brings together visionaries across industries and diverse audiences. The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.

Home to the film festival events, Tribeca (from Triangle Below Canal Street) is a hip bustling neighborhood nestled in lower Manhattan with a backdrop of skyscrapers such as the rebuilt One World Trade Center and the jagged 56 Leonard Street (seen in pictures).

Artists, producers and the press relax and interact in one of the festival lounges

With strong roots in independent film making, the annual event has evolved into a destination for creativity which re-imagines the cinematic experience, and explores how art can unite communities.

This year, Iranian dramas drew critical acclaim with two noteworthy films. According to the Hollywood Reporter, one of the 20 movies they can't wait to see, When God Sleeps features the journey of an exiled rapper from Iran, Shahin Najafi.

When God Sleeps

""My songs didn't make me famous. The fatwa did!" says Najafi. When God Sleeps tells the story of this tireless artist-activist against the backdrop of the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks and the global right-wing backlash against Middle Eastern refugees. Shahin’s escape leads to an impossible romance when he falls in love with the granddaughter of the first Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran. With such family backgrounds, Shahin and Leili become a modern day Romeo & Juliet, caught in the storm of Europe’s refugee crisis, rising Trumpism and global anxiety about the increasingly violent clash between art and religion.

The 2017 Winner for Best Narrative Short Film, Retouch is a thriller with theatergoers reporting to be on the edge of their seats. In this 20-minute short film, Maryam's husband is weightlifting. Suddenly, the weight falls on his throat and puts him between life and death. Maryam first tries to save him, but then decides to stop helping and watches her husband die.

RETOUCH-Kaveh Mazaheri's Statement for Tribeca2017 Award Ceremony from Darvash Film Production on Vimeo.

The Director, Kaveh Mazaheri, who was unable to secure a Visa and travel to New York from Iran for the Festival due to the Trump’s travel ban, gave a speech in appreciation of the honor: “Hello everyone. My special thanks to the Tribeca jury for selecting my movie as The Best Short Narrative Film for this year. This is a pity that I am not among you tonight and cannot talk to you in person. The reason that I am not there is because of Mr. Trump’s fascinating decisions, and as the least consequence, I and my crew couldn’t get US Visa and now I have to talk to you via this video. I am delighted that the first Tribeca award for an Iranian short film is awarded to my film. I am pleased and humbled to accept this award. I would like to honorably present it to all immigrants around the world who are struggling for a better life. Wish you all a joyful evening. Good bye.”

The 2017 Tribeca Film Festival announced an estimated attendance of more than 153,000 people to 531 screenings and talks, the virtual arcade, and games with an additional 3,800,000 people participating in 15 talks and post-film conversations from afar via Facebook Live.

With 97 feature films presented this year, the festival offered narrative and documentary selections covering an immense array of stories and perspectives. While debuting 77 new feature films the Festival also paid respect to the past with the 25th anniversary of Aladdin, the 25th anniversary of Reservoir Dogs, followed by a conversation with director Quentin Tarantino and the full cast, the 15th anniversary of Bowling for Columbine with director Michael Moore, and The Godfather 45th anniversary.

Director Kathryn Bigelow and co-creator Imraan Ismail were joined on stage by surprise panelist Hillary Rodham Clinton during the Tribeca Talks: Virtual Reality, to discuss the world premiere of the virtual reality documentary short The Protectors: Walk in the Ranger's Shoes, which follows the rangers fighting to save the African elephant from poachers. Also on the panel were Andrea Heydlauf with African Parks, and Rachel Webber from National Geographic.

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