The films of Ali Ahmadzadeh has been subjected to a ban within Iran by the ruling regime.
Ali Ahmadzadeh, an Iranian director, clinched the coveted Golden Leopard in the main international competition at the 76th Locarno Film Festival with his latest film, Critical Zone (Mantagheye Bohrani). Despite being unable to attend the festival in person due to travel restrictions, Ahmadzadeh’s triumph was an act of defiance against the backdrop of adversity.
He is officially banned from working as a filmmaker in Iran.
The film festival took place from August 2-12, 2023.
In the lead-up to the festival, Ahmadzadeh faced significant pressure from Iranian authorities who urged him to withdraw his film from the competition. Additionally, he found himself under investigation by Iran’s security ministry. However, undeterred by these challenges, Ahmadzadeh’s film, described as a “hymn to freedom and resistance in Iran,” came to life. Shot without official authorisation, the film captures the essence of pre-protest Iran. Its storyline revolves around a man and his dog navigating Tehran’s underworld, engaging in drug dealing and offering solace to troubled souls.
Critical Zone marks Ahmadzadeh’s fourth feature film. His filmmaking journey began in 2013 with his first feature, Kami’s Party, followed by Atomic Heart, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2014. In 2017, his work Phenomenon (Padideh) garnered attention.
The international distribution of Critical Zone is being managed by Luxbox. The film made its worldwide debut as part of Locarno’s International Competition.
Announcing their decision, jury president Lambert Wilson said that it had been a unanimous decision to award “a film that has collectively electrified us, a film that is as immersive and defiant as it is compassionate and tender. With inventive and disciplined photography and sound design, the director draws authentic and audacious performances in spite of an oppressive and dangerous reality. This film is a 99-minute scream in the name of rebellion and freedom.”
This achievement marks the third instance in the festival’s history that the top prize has been awarded to an Iranian filmmaker. In 1994, Ebrahim Forouzesh secured the award for The Jar, followed by Jafar Panahi in 1996 for The Mirror.
Endowed by the City of Locarno, the best film award carries a cash prize of CHF 75,000, to be evenly divided between the director and the producer of the film.
