Cinema
Bride of Fire
عروس آتش
Khosrow Sinai · 2000
Synopsis
Ahlam, a young woman from an Arab tribe, is finishing her medical studies and loves Dr Parviz, whom she wants to marry. Back in her isolated village in the desert, she comes up against custom: she is promised to her cousin, and the tribe expects her to accept a loveless marriage and the narrow place reserved for women. Her aunt first urges her to submit to the inevitable, before looking back on her own life.
Context
The film was written by the author with Hamid Farrokhnezhad, who also acts in it, and produced by Ghasem Gholipour for Third Eye, with cinematography by Ali Loghmani, editing by Hayedeh Safiyari and music by the author himself. Ghazal Saremi plays Ahlam, Salimeh Rangzan the aunt. Presented in Tehran in February 2000, then at the Cannes film market in May, it was shown in the United States; foreign critics saw it mainly as a document on the condition of women.
Who it is for
A film in Persian of about one hundred minutes, in colour. It should be known that the customs of the tribe, which govern everything, are never explained in it.
Prizes and reception
Five prizes at the 2000 Fajr festival, including the Simorgh for best screenplay, and awards at the Karlovy Vary festival.