Canadian-Iranian film wins top prize at Czech festival

AFP , Monday 11 Jul 2022

Iranian director Sadaf Foroughi's film "Summer with Hope" on Saturday won the top Crystal Globe award at the Karlovy Vary film festival, organisers said.

Summer With Hope
(FROM L) Iranian actress Leili Rashidi, Iranian film director Sarah Foroughi, Iranian producer Kiarash Anvari pose with the Grand Prix Crystal Globe for Best film Tabestan ba Omid ( Summer With Hope ) during the closing ceremony at the 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) in Karlovy Vary on July 9, 2022. (Photo: AFP)

 

The Canadian-Iranian film tells the story of a friendship between a young swimmer and his coach, which draws criticism in their authoritarian state.

"Summer with Hope" is 45-year-old Foroughi's second feature film, following her debut "Ava" in 2017.

Australian actor Geoffrey Rush, known for "Shine", "The King's Speech" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, also received the Crystal Globe for his outstanding contribution to world cinema.

Another Hollywood star, Benicio del Toro, known for his role in "Traffic", received the Festival President's Award.

The organisers said they had sold 121,015 tickets to film screenings at the 56th edition of the festival in the western Czech spa city of Karlovy Vary.

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