Ars Poetica. 1967. Directed by Khosrow Sinai Bonbast (Dead End). 1977. Written and directed by Parviz Sayyad

Film

No upcoming events

Bonbast (Dead End). 1977. Iran. Directed by Parviz Sayyad. Courtesy Ehsan Khoshbakht

Ars Poetica. 1967. Iran. Directed by Khosrow Sinai. 16mm print courtesy International Short Film Festival Oberhausen. No dialogue. 11 min.

In this experimental short, a dove flutters through a room full of Iranian artist Jazeh Tabatabai’s metal sculptures.

Bonbast (Dead End). 1977. Iran. Written and directed by Parviz Sayyad. With Mary Apick, Apick Youssefian, Parviz Bahador. Digital presentation courtesy the UCLA Film and Television Archive. In Persian; English subtitles. 75 min.

Based on a story by Anton Chekhov, Dead End is one of the most prescient films to come out of late-1970s Iran, a devastating portrait of love and longing in a country built on fear and surveillance. When a starry-eyed young woman notices a man standing under her window day and night, she becomes convinced he’s in love with her. While she fantasizes about their happy union, reality has crueler plans in mind. The ensemble cast is memorable, especially real-life mother and daughter Mary Apick and Apick Youssefian, as well as Bahman Zarrinpour.

This film accompanies Iranian Cinema before the Revolution, 1925–1979.

Past events

Mon, Nov 27, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

MoMA, Floor T2/T1, Theater 2

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2
Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

Followed by a conversation with Parviz Sayyad

MoMA, Floor T2/T1, Theater 1

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 1

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