Tehran – “Habibra,” a documentary by Iranian Adnan Zandi, won the award at Zooms Blizenia at the 28th International Film Festival in Poland.
The film won the best documentary award of 29 documentaries that competed in the festival last week, Irna reported.
The 24-minute film, made in 2023, depicts the life of a veteran folk singer in the Leilax region of DeGoran, Kurdestan. As he grows older, he faces new challenges and doubts.
The nominal character is 80-year-old Kurdish folk singer and poet Habibra Zandi. For decades, he has been a beacon of joy in his village, playing at weddings and gatherings, and entertaining people with songs about love. But now, his passion faces opposition when some radical figures demand that he stop singing and accuse him of promoting immorality.
Things get worse when one of his performances is recorded, primarily laughing at his performance, bringing his son to criticize his ongoing performance. The tension rises, but so does his rebellion. The film reflects its protagonist – it is quietly confident, full of joy, and has a deep love for the beauty of this world.
Adnan Zandy, 39, holds a master’s degree in film. He directed several documentary films and won awards at many festivals. He is the founder and director of the Riga Student Film Festival.
Zoom-Zblizenia, an international film festival, is one of Poland’s largest and most important independent film festivals. The author’s cinemas, ambitious and high artistic values, and attempts to showcase the promotion of independent and creative subjects.
In addition to the international film contest, the festival includes non-competitive screenings and open meetings with well-known filmmakers.
SS/