The Cinematheque

“A cinematic experience of embarking on a humble yet marvelous journey with Kiarostami, capturing the director’s honest and simple demeanor, his identity as an artist, and the indelible mark he has left on us.”

Hong Eunmi, Busan IFF 2023

In July 2016, Abbas Kiarostami passed away, leaving cinema lovers around the world in absolute grief and shock. On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his death, Pelan is honoured to celebrate the filmmaker’s life and work by presenting the Canadian premiere of Kiarostami at Work, directed by celebrated photographer Seifollah Samadian, his longtime friend. This documentary offers a rare glimpse into the creative world of one of cinema’s most influential auteurs. Through behind-the-scenes footage from Taste of Cherry, Certified Copy, and Shirin, Samadian captures Kiarostami’s artistic process, his quiet humanity, and his enduring passion for filmmaking alongside reflections from Juliette Binoche and Martin Scorsese, among others. We warmly invite you to join us for this very special evening of remembrance and cinema.

In Farsi, French, English, and Italian with English subtitles

Post-screening audience discussion moderated by Pelan.