Tehran – Two Iranian feature films will be screened next month as part of Cannes Film Season 2025-2026, which took place in Cannes, France.
“Melody” directed by Behrouz Sebt Rasoul and “Daughter” by Reza Mirkarimi will be featured on September 18th at the Espace Miramar Movie Theatre in Cannes on a program titled “Cannes Films – Focusing on Iranian Films.”
“Melody,” a co-produced by Iran and Tajikistan, tells the story of Melody, a young musician girl who teaches music at a specialized centre for sick children. At the request of her 30 students, she must compose the piece for a late autumn celebration inspired by 30 different bird songs.
To this end, she travels to her hometown village and seeks the help of Mango, the caretaker of Mute, who cares for the family home. In their quest, they only record the sounds of around 20 birds. Mango then makes Melody understand that only the old village singers who have been exiled by the Hunter know where to find others. The young woman decides to go searching for the old man and the missing bird.
Produced in 2023, the 85-minute film is set in a stunning natural background, and the story unfolds in the seductive beauty of its surroundings.
The film stars Iranian actors Diman Zandi, Alileza Ostadi, Iranian Megdad Eslami, Tajikistan’s Safa Hakdodov and Zulfiya Sadikova.
“Melody” has gained great recognition on the international stage and has participated in several prestigious film festivals. It was featured at the 21st Chennai International Film Festival in India in 2023, the 42nd FAJR International Film Festival in Iran in 2024, and the Keswick Film Festival in London in 2024.
At the 23rd Imagine India Film Festival in Madrid, Spain, the film was an incredible success, winning several awards, including Best Director of Photography, Best Music Design and Best Original Music.
The film was selected as Tajikistan entry for the best international feature film at the 97th Academy Awards.
The “daughter” of 103 Manu, created in 2016, Azitzi is a strict and conservative man who lives a peaceful life with his small family in an oil town in southern Iran. Angry at her father’s authoritarianism, Setare announces her intention to go to Tehran to attend the farewell of one of her best friends who have left Iran forever.
However, Setareh’s sister’s engagement will also take place on the same day. Despite his father’s opposition, Setare takes the plane to Tehran. This rebellion triggers a wave of confusion that disrupts the balance of the family.
The film stars Farhad Aslani, Merila Zarei, Mahoa Alband, Sharov Fortanian, Newsha Modabah and Gorban Najafi.
He won Golden Peacock (Best Film) at the 47th Indian Film Festival and won Golden George Award for Best Film at the 38th Moscow International Film Festival. It was also named the best film at the 15th Dhaka International Film Festival.
Cannes Cinema will host film seasons (movie clubs, Thursdays, Thursdays at Cannes Cinema, re-watching films, film conferences, and more, Cannes Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Italian Film Week, etc.) and host all audiences all year round.
It is also one of the branches of the Regional Centre for Image Education in the Southern Region. Image education has always been part of the association’s DNA that develops workshops, conferences, training courses and other master classes.
The new season begins on September 8th and runs until June 4th, 2026.
Photo: “Daughter” (L) and “Melody” scene
SS/SAB