The Witness
Shahed | Şahit
Uluslararası Yarışma | Nader Saeivar
Maryam Bobani
Nader Naderpour
Hana Kamkar
Venice International Film Festival
Busan International Film Festival
In his latest film, which won the Audience Award at its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Nader Saeivar tells the story of a struggle set in a time when justice and interests collide. Tarlan, a retired dance teacher in Iran, is faced with the difficult choice of risking his reputation and livelihood in the pursuit of justice versus succumbing to oppression.
The screenplay is co-written by the duo of Jafar Panahi and Nader Saeivar, who won the Best Screenplay award at Cannes in 2018. The film features a striking narrative centered around a timely theme, complemented by a powerful visual language and natural performances.
Saeivar summarizes the message he wants to convey with this film: 'If this film can serve as a mirror reflecting life in contemporary Iran, that will be enough for me. Forgiveness is the only path to salvation. However, forgiveness does not mean surrender. My suggestion to continue the struggle is presented cinematically at the end of the film.'
Screenplay
Jafar Panahi & Nader Saeivar
Editing
Jafar Panahi
Cinematographer
Rouzbeh Raiga
Sound Director / Music
Abdolreza Heydari
Production Companies
Said Nur Akkus (ArtHood Entertainment)
Silvana Santamaria (ArtHood Entertainment)
Arash T. Riahi (Golden Girls Films)
Sabine Grüber (Golden Girls Films)
Actors
Maryam Bobani
Nader Naderpour
Hana Kamkar
Abbas Imani
Ghazal Shojae
Farid Eshaghi
Zahra Parhon
Naser Hashemi
Vahid Mobaseri