Jafar Panahi’s new film makes its World Premiere at the Venice Days

 

ON SEPTEMBER 1st, 2010 AT THE VENICE DAYS

DURING THE 67th EDITION OF VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE SHORT FILM

THE ACCORDION by Jafar Panahi

Produced by ART for The World

Co-produced by Dorje Film (Rome)

In partnership with SESC Sao Paulo and ARTE France
With the support of the Cultural Department of the City of Geneva (Switzerland) and the Region Emilia Romagna, Cineteca di Bologna,  Solares Fondazione delle Arti, Parma (Italy)

Jafar Panahi has been invited to open the Giornate degli Autori/Venice Days at the 67th edition of the Venice Film Festival with the World Premiere of his latest short movie  
The Accordion. The screening will take place on September 1st 
at the Venice Lido's Palazzo del Cinema.

The Accordion - produced by ART for The World and shot in Tehran -  is focused on two young street musicians who play the accordion and the tablas in order to earn their living. One day, while they are playing next to a mosque, their accordion is taken away from them due to an accident… 
This brief and forceful tale, dealing with the theme of Non-Violence, portrays the Iranian director's entire artistic world and is a metaphor for the new generations who, led by understanding, prefer solidarity over conflicts. 

On September 2nd a special pannel with Jafar Panahi and his friend, the Iranian actor and filmmaker Mazdak Taebi shall take place on the topics treated in his work, with the participation of international media, as well as a Masterclass with young cinephiles from all EU countries.

The Accordion is part of our collective film production THEN AND NOW Beyond Borders and Differences. The project - based on the article 18 of the UDHR  "Everybody has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion" - aims to showcase shared beliefs and peaceful coexistence among the world major religions. Initiated by UN's Alliance of Civilizations and under the patronage of the Council of Europe, the long feature will bring together approx. 15 short-movies by renowned filmmakers and will be presented at the Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights in Geneva, in early March 2011.

The Accordion will be also presented at the Montreal World Film Festival on September 4th, at the occasion of the director's retrospective.