IFFR 2013 - Interview with filmmakers Mohsen and Maysam Makhmabaf

Interview on the occasion of the viewing of 'The Gardener/ Bagheban' (2012) on the 42nd IFFR

Filmmaker Mohsen Makhmabaf is one of the frontrunners of Iranian post 1979 cinema. For the viewing of his film 'The Gardener' (2012) which he made together with his son Maysam, he was on the 42nd International Filmfestival Rotterdam. There we interviewed them.About his film which was made in and around a Bahai Garden in Haifa.

Short Bio: Mohsen Makhmalbaf was born in 1957. Was imprisoned under the regime of the former Shah. Became a proponent of the Iranian revolution and was one of the fist filmmakers that could film under Islamic regime. He was the writer of some 30 books, maker of some 20 highly acclaimed films and teacher in his own Makhmalbaf Teheran Film school. Through the years he became more and more critical of the regime. With the coming of the renewed conservative regime of president Ahmedinejad in 2005 he left the country. Since that time he continues his work outside Iran. Also his wife, their daughters Hana ('Budda collapsed out of shame') and Samira ('The Apple') and his son Maysam ('The Gardener') are known filmmakers.

• Category

  Entertainment

[Anthony Tobin]

An interview of true and hopeful ideas.

[Starr Saffa]

"I Am the Trumpet, I Am the Blast I Am the Word that shall set to flight the Kings and Rulers of the World! Like Gabriel I awaken Souls". ~ Dawnbreakers

Tahirih Qurrat'l-Ayn in the Garden of Badasht, Persia 1848

[rezvan moosavi]

aghaye makhmalbafe aziz , shoma ba sakhtane in film ghadame bozorgi baraye komak be mardome keshvareton bardashtid

. az shoma mamnoon hastim.

[anstasia82]

Wow! Must watch movie! This just touch my heart

[badiullah sanai]

VERY AMPRESIVE AND UP TO POINT THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[moomatre]

Very interesting viewpoints about learning in human development, democracy and dignity. I hope soon to see the Movie 'The Gardener', which had won the “Golden Award” @ Beirut International Film Festival.

[Margot Valentine]

A privilige and inspiration to watch this interview...thankyou

[Keyvan Geula]

I find his softly lamenting and stating the facts and lovingly complaining style while telling a very painful story about the condition of the world and the shameful plight of the Baha'is of Iran and violation their human rights, is very effective and it influences the heart of the sincere.

[nasser2805]

The sincerity, courage and dedication of Mr Makhmalbaf in promoting tolerance, respect and peace is amazing. You can see a profound wisdom in his explanation with openness and dignity. What a praiseworthy man and dedicated team!? It was great to listen to him in English , as it is another sign of his courage to have a go and talk in English so was the facts about the Baha’i Faith that most of the Iranian friends have been deprived of these facts.

[sheila5049]

to the contrary, the sincerity and simplicity of his explanations combined with his effort to speak an unfamiliar language is very powerful, and I understood everything he said very clearly--got the message!