FILM FESTIVAL OPENS WITH AUSTRALIAN FILM SHOT IN IRAN

Riverina audiences are in for a treat when the Sydney Travelling Film Festival returns to town, screening 12 – 16 March at the Forum 6 Cinemas on Trail Street. Delivering the best in world cinema, the 2010 program serves up stories from Australia, Iran, New Zealand, France, Canada, Italy, Spain and the USA.  This year the festival opens with the powerful and groundbreaking feature debut from Iranian poet Granaz Moussavi; My Tehran for Sale.

The first Australian / Iranian co-production, My Tehran for Sale, invites audiences into the world of contemporary Tehran. Shot entirely on location, Moussavi weaves her poetic sensitivities into the character of Marzieh, a young Iranian actress forced to lead a secret life in order to express herself artistically. Selected for the prestigious Adelaide, Pusan and Toronto International Film Festivals, My Tehran for Sale brings to the screen never before seen images of modern urban Iran, revealing how young Iranians live behind closed doors.

A special attraction is that Granaz Moussavi will be opening the festival in Wagga Wagga to introduce her film and take questions from the audience. This is a rare opportunity to hear first hand of her experience shooting the film on location in Iran. Following the film, complimentary refreshments will be served with glasses raised to celebrate this incredible achievement in cinema.

In addition to this inspirational opener, this year’s program will showcase some of the most exciting recent world cinema including the intelligent, emotional drama The Private Lives of Pippa Lee starring Robin Wright Penn (Breaking and Entering); Sydney Film Festival Audience Award winner Red Like the Sky and two special highlights from Cannes; FIPRESCI Prize winner Amreeka starring Hiam Abbass (The Visitor, Lemon Tree); and Palme D’Or Nominee Broken Embraces directed by Pedro Almodovar (Volver, All About My Mother).

On Saturday the festival celebrates Kiwi talents with the heart-warming Maori family drama The Strength of Water set on NZ’s dramatic far north coast and the hilarious doco The Topp Twins, an all-singing, all-dancing comedy duo described by the Sydney Morning Herald as ‘more fun than a possum up your trousers’. Sunday features a fabulous French double-bill with the stunningly beautiful Séraphine, winner of seven César Awards and the hilarious box-office smash hit, The French Kissers.

Discounted subscriptions and single session tickets are available at the cinema box office. Programs also available at the cinema or online at www.sff.org.au/tff