.jpg "A poster for “The Wedlock”")
TEHRAN -- Iranian director Ruhollah Hejazi missed the Montreal World Film Festival since the Canadian Embassy in Tehran refused to issue a visa to him.
He planned to travel to Canada to attend the premiere of “The Wedlock”, his latest drama on the conflict between tradition and innovation, at the event.
Only a representative of the film’s distributor was able to attend the festival, Hejazi said in a press release on Tuesday.
No reason was mentioned for the Canadaian visa denial.
The film, which was screened at the festival on August 30 and 31, was warmly received by filmgoers, Hejazi said quoting the representative of the film’s distributor.
He also sent a message to the people who have joined the festival.
“We live in a world in which borders have put some artificial barriers between us. However, we will cross these borders with the help of art and cinema, and will visit each other,” Hejazi said in a part of his message.
The festival came to an end on Monday after announcement of the winners.
The Grand prix des Americas went to “Life Feels Good” by Polish director Maciej Pieprzyca and “A Thousand Times Goodnight” by Norwegian director Erik Poppe won the Special Grand Prix of the jury.
In addition, Belgian filmmaker Jan Verheyen was crowned the best director for “The Verdict”.
MMS/YAW
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