Iranian Drama Inside Amir Wins Award at Venice
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, Iranian drama Inside Amir, directed by Amir Azizi, won the Best Director Award in the 22nd edition of the parallel section Giornate degli Autori—formerly known as Venice Days—at the Venice Film Festival. Azizi received a cash prize of €20,000, which will be split equally between the director and the film’s international distributor.
Described as a “love letter to the city of Tehran,” the film is inspired by the director’s personal experiences. Amir Hossein Hosseini stars as a young man named Amir, who is preparing to emigrate to Italy to reunite with his fiancée. As his departure date approaches, Amir reflects on his past and struggles to part with his bicycle.
Dag Johan Haugerud, the Norwegian filmmaker behind Dreams (Sex Love), which won the Golden Bear at Berlinale, served as the jury president of this edition of Giornate degli Autori.
In a joint statement, the jury declared: “The film we honor tonight is a meditation on everyday life. It reminds us that the ordinary—relocations, conversations with friends—provides both safety and freedom.”
The Audience Award was presented to Memory, directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Vladlena Sandu, and A Sad and Beautiful World, directed by Lebanese filmmaker Cyril Aris.
Inside Amir was one of 11 feature films in competition in this section.
