Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Ambassador of Iran in Sri Lanka Hashem Ashjaazadeh, Cultural Counsellor of Iran Dr. Bahman Moazami, Chairman of Sri Lanka National Film Corporation Deepal Chandrarathna, Chairman of Rupavahini Corporation W. B. Ganegala at the event. Pictures by Nissanka Wijerathne
Iranian films have a great influence on the Sri Lankan movie industry and the movie audience at present, said Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena.
He stated this addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Iran Film Festival-2023 held at the Sri National Film Corporation’s ‘Tharangani’ theatre in Colombo yesterday.
Five award winning and internationally acclaimed films namely ‘Memory of the Teacher’, ‘Mangrove’, ‘Story of My Father’s Bike and Me’, ‘Loneliness’ and ‘A name’ gifted by the Government of Iran will be screened at the Tharangani theatre at 5.p.m. every day from February 6 to 10.
These films have been gifted by Iran as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
The minister said the Iranian Film Festival will further strengthen the artistic and cultural ties between Iran and Sri Lanka.
The Iranian film industry which started during the first half of the 20th century has developed gradually and now produces not only artistically acclaimed films but also commercial films, the minister said.
He pointed out that the movies made after the 1970s in Iran are the ones which have influenced the Sri Lankan movies.
This film festival is held in line with the 44th anniversary of the victory of Islamic Revolution of Iran and the Iran Cultural Centre in Colombo has dedicated this film festival to Sri Lankan female filmmaker late Sumithra Peries, who passed away a few weeks ago.
In memory of late Sumithra Peries, a portrait of her was handed over to the Trustee of the Lester James Peries and Sumithra Peries Foundation and niece of late Dr.Sumithra Peries, Gayathri Mustaashi by the Iran Cultural Center in Colombo on this occasion.
Ambassador of Iran in Sri Lanka Hashem Ashjaazadeh, Cultural Counsellor of Iran Dr. Bahman Moazami, Chairman of Sri Lanka National Film Corporation Deepal Chandrarathna were also present on this occasion.
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