And Life Goes On: The Films of Abbas Kiarostami
- Kiarostami for Kids! Program 1
- Iran
- Abbas Kiarostami
- 66
- G
Screening Dates
- October 20, 2019 11:00
“What episodes of Sesame Street would look like if they were directed by one of the world’s greatest filmmakers.”
Jason Sanders, Pacific Film Archive
Presented as part of The Cinematheque’s Film Club and “And Life Goes On: The Films of Abbas Kiarostami.”
Before the great Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami took the international stage by storm, he cut his teeth making educational films for a children’s cultural institute in Tehran. Drawing inspiration from our very own National Film Board of Canada (especially the animated wonders of Norman McLaren), Kiarostami helmed a number of playful short films aimed at Iranian youngsters that cut through cultural particulars to impart virtues, values, and life facts all kiddos should know!
In this program, we learn about the benefits of brushing your teeth, how to identify colours, the comical consequences of a poor decision, the inspiring things animals do, and, in Kiarostami’s 1970 directorial debut, how best to deal with an unfriendly dog. Kiarostami’s signature wit, warmth, and intelligence is present throughout.
The Bread and Alley (Nan va koutcheh)
1970 12 min.
The Colours (Rang-ha)
1976 16 min.
So Can I (Man ham mitounam)
1975 5 min.
Toothache (Behdasht‑e dandan)
1980 27 min.
Two Solutions for One Problem (Dow rahehal baraye yek massaleh)
1975 6 min.
Total program: approx. 66 min.
Acknowledgments
Screening sponsored by Vancouver Mom and MAKE Vancouver.
Media
Note
Not all shorts in the program have dialogue. Those that do are in Farsi with English subtitles. However, since the vocabulary is simple and largely secondary to the visuals, we hope it won’t dissuade younger English-speakers from attending.
Cinematheque membership not required