A press conference featuring Flamingo No.13 from the Competition section was held as follows:
Date & Time: October 26th (Tuesday), from 15:45 @Movie Café
Appearance: Hamid Reza Aligholian (director/editor), Rasoul Younan (screenplay/actor), Baran Zamani (actress), Houman Ahmadi Tofighi (producer)


Here are some notes and quotes:



Mr. Hamid Reza Aligholian (D): I am very grateful that we are able to participate in TIFF. I hope you all liked my film.
Mr. Rasoul Younan (RY): Konnichiwa! I am also very happy that I am in Tokyo.
Ms. Baran Zamani (BZ): I would like to say hello to you on behalf of the Iranian film industry.
Mr. Houman Ahmadi Tofighi (HAT): I would like to extend my gratitude to the people of Japan.



Q: Director Aligholian, this is your first feature film, how do you feel to have it screened internationally?
D: I am very happy that it is screened here in Tokyo, too, and I really would like to hear the impressions and opinions of the people who’ve seen this film.

Q: I understand this film depicted the depth of the Iranian culture, as well as artistic aspects like costumes and dance. Did you have any assumptions on how it would be received by the audience outside of Iran?
D: People from different ethnic backgrounds are in the film, and their outfits and dances were also shown. I am personally attracted to those ethnic cultures, and I hope you felt the same watching my film.

Q: I had an impression that the story was quite classical. Is it based on a folk tale or another story?
D: No, it is an original story. Or rather, it is based on the poem written by Rasoul Younan. It is a long poem; he had pages and pages of poem, we sat down and spoke about making it a story. And that led to making of this film.

Q: This is a question to the producer. After reading the screenplay, why did you decide to produce this film?
HAT: I've known Mr. Aligholian, the director, for 10 years through film-making business. And we always talked about making a film together if we found a good screenplay. We got one, so we made the film.



Q: Ms. Zamani, would you share your experience as an actress with us?
BZ: I have played small parts at theater for two years. To tell you the truth, I prefer theater to movies. The first movie I played in is called Shirin. Actually, I am starring in a different film in Iran. There are different attractiveness to theater and film. Films have opportunities to be seen by more people and internationally. As for theaters, yes, sometimes we participate in festivals, but the performances tend to shown domestically, or at limited areas within the country. The world is somewhat smaller.



Q: You explained that this is based on an original story, but towards the end, a story Shakhta Baba is introduced. Is Shakhta Baba familiar to all Iranians? Or is it particular of a certain ethnic group? I felt that the fact that Shakhta Baba brings hope matches the theme of the film.
RY: Shakhta Baba is a Santa Claus-like figure. He comes at around the same time Santa Claus comes. Toward that season, people will write their wish or dream on a piece of paper, and burn that paper hoping that the smoke will reach Shakhta Baba and pray that their wish will be heard.



Q: Is this your first time in Japan? Iran and Japan has a long history of friendship. What is your impression of Japan now that you are here?
D: Japan is very impressive. The Japanese people are always smiling and always very polite. I'm glad I had a chance to come in contact with you.

BZ: I don't feel like I am in a foreign country; I feel right at home! Although there is a language barrier, I feel that we can relate to each other. I love Japan, and I hope I could come back every year.
HAT: I am able to bring back to Iran, all the love and generosity that Japanese people gave us as great souvenirs!

Q: Mr. Younan, being a poet, are there any Japanese writers or poets that you like?
RY: Yes, there are many poets and writers that I respect. Issa Kobayashi, Basho Matsuo, and Yasunari Kawabata are among the many I admire, but my favorite is Yukio Mishima. I believe that their words are very natural and come from the heart, and they understood nature very well.

Flamingo No.13

Film Information