Tall Shadows of the Wind

Part of the film series
Iranian New Wave 1960s-1970s (November 2 - 22, 2013)

Tall Shadows of the Wind
Bahman Farmanara. 1979. Iran. 109 min. Color. With English subtitles.
**Due to the condition of the 35mm print, this film will be screened in DVD format. Free admission.**

Based on a short story by Houshang Golshiri, who also collaborated with director Bahman Farmanara on his breakout feature Prince Ehtejab (1974), this film centers on mysterious and chilling events that take place in a village. A group of superstitious inhabitants have erected a scarecrow for protection but soon find themselves terrorized by it. Made at the end of the Shah’s reign, the film offers a metaphorical reflection on power relations — how people create their own idols who turn around to terrorize them. The film’s alleged political message was found so dangerous that it was banned both pre- and post-revolution. It was presented to great acclaim in Cannes Film Festival’s Critics' Week section.

Bahman Farmanara (1942- ) studied film at the University of Southern California. After returning to Iran, he joined the National Iranian Radio and Television and promoted world cinema and made short films. His second feature film, Prince Ehtejab (1974), won the Grand Prix at the International Tehran Film Festival. After Tall Shadows of the Wind was banned, Farmanara moved to Canada with his family. He began a career in film programming, distribution and production. He eventually returned to Iran and made Smell Of Camphor, Fragrance Of Jasmine (2000), his first film after two decades. The film won eight awards at the Fajr International Film Festival and the Special Jury Prize at the Montreal Film Festival.
 

This film series is organized in conjunction with the Iran Modern exhibition, on view through January 5, 2014. Public programs held in conjunction with Iran Modern are made possible by support from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art through Asia Society’s ongoing initiative Creative Voices of Muslim Asia. Additional support for Iran Modern programming is provided by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, WLS Spencer Foundation and the American Institute of Iranian Studies.