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TEHRAN -- Iranian director Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, whose controversial film “Tales” is currently competing in the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, has said that Iranian filmgoers are her main priority.
Speaking during a press conference at the festival on Monday, she stated, “Certainly, I do not make films to be screened at foreign festivals. It is important for me that my films are seen by Iranian audiences in Iran and Iranian moviegoers are my main priority.”
Bani-Etemad directed “Tales” in 2011. However, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance under former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s administration refused to authorize it, which was alleged to convey some specific political messages.
The film traces the fate of some of the female characters in Bani-Etemad’s previous films and also people who represent different layers of the society.
New officials, who took the helm at the Culture Ministry after the victory of Hassan Rouhani in the 2013 presidential election, gave a green light to “Tales”, which is scheduled to be screened in Iran in the upcoming weeks.
However, some Iranian MPs still view the film as political and have asked the Culture Ministry to revoke the film’s screening license.
The movie won the award for best screenplay at the 71st International Venice Film Festival in September.
MMS/YAW
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