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In silence, you fall in love: Setareh Eskandari, Director of IFFI 52 World Panorama Film “The Sun of that Moon”
We have all forgotten silence and love. Through my film, I want to showcase the power of love and project the rights and freedom of women: Setareh Eskandari
“The Sun of that Moon”, focussing on the rights and freedom of women in Baluchistan, premiers at IFFI 52
“Satyajit Ray has been a role model for me”
Panaji, 26 November, 2021
The agony of a widowed woman which leads her to decide to keep silent and not speak anymore. The re-entry of her childhood playmate which rekindles the candle of love in her wounded heart. Balochi film The Sun of that Moon by debut Iranian director Setareh Eskandari offers film lovers an immersive pathway into the tumultuous inner world of Beeban and the orthodox society for which the pursuit of her childhood love is but forbidden.
The film, known in Balochi as Khorshid-e Aan Mah, has had its World Premiere at the ongoing 52nd International Film Festival of India. The film, set in the South-eastern Iranian provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan, has been presented to film lovers in the World Panorama section of the festival.
Through Beeban, the Director wishes to show the outside world the ordinary life of Iran’s women and the less-known culture of its people. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the festival yesterday, November 25, 2021, the Director threw light on the funnel of inspiration which drove her to make the movie. “Beeban’s love grows and falls in silence, for fear of the existing socio-cultural ethos and tradition.
Being a widow, Beeban can’t be with her childhood love as per the prevailing socio-cultural norms and practices. The film picturizes the true story of women in Baluchistan region, which is not properly reflected in the media. I hope my film will bring freedom and rights for these women.”
Eskandari spoke of the timeless need to remember the tragically forgotten life elements of love and silence. “The world that we live in is full of violence and hatred. We have all forgotten the silence and love. Through my film, I want to showcase the power of love and project the rights and freedom of women.”
The Director said that the story has a connection with India, as in India also widow Hindu women follow a rigid lifestyle. “I am happy to have the world premiere of the film in India. There are a lot of similarities between the lifestyle and culture of India and Iran. I am pretty sure that people here would love the movie.” She recalled that during the screening at IFFI, she saw many people, especially women, get very emptional.
Talking about the meaning of the title of the film, Eskandari said: “In Iranian culture, the sun is represented as man and the moon as woman, which also represent light and darkness respectively. As the film shows the darkness in a woman’s life in comparison to a man, so comes the title.”
Much to the delight of IFFI delegates, Eskandari said that people in Iran love Indian cinema. “Most of the people have watched Sholay and like Amitabh Bachchan. The legend Satyajit Ray has always been a role model for me and I draw inspiration from his works.”
Born in Khorasan, Iran, Setareh Eskandari is a prolific actress, highly acclaimed and awarded for her work in theatre, TV and film. Working with big names in Iranian theatre, most notably with Ali Rafiee in Dey Troop, Eskandari is also active as stage and TV play director. The Sun of That Moon is her debut feature film.
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