Description:

(Abdolreza Kahani, 2009, Iran, DVD, 90 min.)

Twenty, produced by Pouran Derakhshandeh is the story of the abusive relationship between Soleimani, the owner of a reception hall, and his employees. Suffering from psychological problems, Soleimani decides to close down the hall in twenty days. The film narrates the personal and collective suffering of the employees facing the abuse of their employer and the uncertainty of the future. Shot mostly in closed spaces and directed with exquisite attention to details, Twenty is a humanist allegory of contemporary Iran. It won several international and national awards including the Special Jury Prize at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (2009). Introduced by Northwestern Professor and MENA director Brian T. Edwards. Q&A with producer Pouran Derakhshandeh and Professor Hamid Naficy following the screening.