Iran-Tunisia Establish Cinema Society

Tehran, May 10, IRNA - Iran and Tunisia established a joint cinema society during the opening ceremony of Tunisia’s Med Memories Film Festival on Wednesday evening. The Tunisia Friendship Association and the Iranian Youth Cinema Society signed an agreement to boost cinematic cooperation between both countries, the English language daily ˈTehran Timesˈ said on Saturday. The ceremony, which was held at the Ibn Rashiq Cultural Center in Tunis, was attended by Iran Cinema Organization Director Hojjatollah Ayyubi and festival founder Fethi Ben Othman. At the ceremony, Othman called the society a bridge, which connects Iranian and Tunisian cineastes. He said that Tunisians are very interested in Iranian cinema. Afterward, Ayyubi said that establishment of such societies introduces Iranian cinema in other countries. Iran is the guest of honor at the 2nd edition of Med Memories Film Festival, which runs until May 10. Iranian directors Manijeh Hekmat and Hojjatollah Ayyubi accompany Ayyubi during his four-day sojourn in Tunis. “Toranj” directed by Mojtaba Raei, “Three Women” by Manijeh Hekmat and 12 other Iranian films will go on screen at the Ibn Rashiq Cultural Center and Parnassus Cinema. “Karim” by Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Barmahani was the opening film of the festival. The film follows the daily life of a young Tunisian filmmaker named Karim after the first sparks of the Tunisia revolution of January 14, 2011./end