23rd Iranian Film Festival (MFAH Screenings): I Am Diego Maradona (Man Diego Maradona hastam)

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents the 23rd Houston Iranian Film Festival January 22 – February 2, 2016.

For the 23rd edition of the longest-running MFAH film festival, the Museum is honored by the presence of actress Fatemeh Motamed Arya. She is scheduled to attend a rare, Tuesday-night screening on February 2, accompanied by her husband, actor Ahmad Hamed.

Another highlight of this year’s festival is a new documentary about artist Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, who is represented in the Museum’s permanent collection.

The Houston Iranian Film Festival continues at Asia Society Texas Center and Rice Cinema.

Film selections were made in collaboration with Tom Vick of the Freer and Sackler Galleries, the Smithsonian Institution’s museums of Asian art; Carter Long of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and Barbara Scharres of the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago.

I Am Diego Maradona (Man Diego Maradona hastam)
Directed by Bahram Tavakoli
2015, in Farsi with English subtitles
Iran, 85 minutes
DCP

A writer narrates his story with multiple beginnings, middles, and ends. When the work is stolen by a friend, the author receives little sympathy from his family.

The film introduces more and more characters who become involved in criminal mischief, kidnapping, and attempted murder—or do they?

Laugh-out-loud moments are interspersed with dark humor that reward audiences along for the wild ride.

This comedy-drama garnered 11 nominations at the 33rd Fajr Film Festival, where actor/filmmaker Houman Seyyedi won Best Supporting Actor.

Additional support is provided by the Society of Iranian-American Women for Education (SIAWE) and the Iranian Cultural Foundation-Houston.