The President (2014 film)

The President
The President
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Written by	Mohsen Makhmalbaf; Marziyeh Meshkiny;
Produced by	Vladimer Katcharava; Mike Downey; Sam Taylor; Maysam Makhmalbaf;
Starring	Misha Gomiashvili; Dachi Orvelashvili;
Cinematography	Konstantin Mindia Esadze
Edited by	Hana Makhmalbaf; Marziyeh Meshkiny;
Production; companies	20 Steps Productions; President Fame Limited; Makhmalbaf Film House;
Release dates	30 August 2014 (Venice Film Festival); 15 October 2014 (United States);
Running time	119 minutes
Countries	Georgia; France; United Kingdom; Germany;
Language	Georgian

The President (Persian: پرزیدنت) is a film by Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf following the themes of his previous film The Gardener.

The film had its world premiere at the 2014 Venice Film Festival, in the Horizons competition.^[1]

Plot

A revolution is happening in a country with a dictatorial president. The president sends his family abroad but his grandson wants to stay with his grandfather. In order to save their lives they run away and the president uses a wig and a guitar to disguise himself as a gypsy. They want to reach the sea so they can go to another country by boat. They must experience poverty and hunger during their journey, and see the effects of the dictatorship on the country.^[2]

The inspiration for the film came when Makhmalbaf visited the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul. The Arab Spring revolutions were also inspirations.^[3]

Festivals

Venice International Film Festival, Italy, 2014 (Opening film)
Busan International Film Festival, South Korea, 2014
Beirut International Film Festival, Lebanon, 2014
Chicago International Film Festival, USA, 2014
London Film Festival, United Kingdom, 2014
Warsaw International Film Festival, Poland, 2014
Tokyo FILMeX International Film Festival, Japan, 2014
International Film Festival Of India ( Goa), India, 2014 (Opening film)
Tbilisi International Film Festival, Georgia, 2014 (Opening film)
Carthage International Film Festival, Tunnis, 2014
Tertio Millennio Film Festival, Italy, 2014 (Opening film)
Inter National Film Festival of India (Kerala) 2014

Awards

Golden Hugo for the best film from Chicago International Film Festival, United States, 2014
Audience Award for the Best Film from the 15th TOKYO FILMeX International Film Festival, Japan, 2014
Société Générale Award for Best Feature Film by the audience vote from the 14th Beirut International Film Festival, Lebanon, 2014

References

^ "Mohsen Makhmalbaf - News".
^ BEN KENIGSBERG (2 June 2016). "Review: 'The President,' a Sweeping Tale Inspired by the Arab Spring". New York Times.
^ Mark Schilling (7 October 2014). "BUSAN: Iranian Director Makhmalbaf Assesses His 'President'". Variety.

External links

[1] "Mohsen Makhmalbaf - News".

[2] BEN KENIGSBERG (2 June 2016). "Review: 'The President,' a Sweeping Tale Inspired by the Arab Spring". New York Times.

[3] Mark Schilling (7 October 2014). "BUSAN: Iranian Director Makhmalbaf Assesses His 'President'". Variety.

[1]

[2]

[3]