Legendary Actor Returns to the Screen After Exile During the Iranian Revolution

Bahman Ghobadi, whose debut film "A Time for Drunken Horses" (2000) won the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, was forced into exile after filming "No One Knows About Persian Cats" (2009) without permission from the Iranian government. His latest film depicts 30 years of chaos and nightmares for a man declared dead by his country, a woman torn from her beloved, and a man consumed by desire.

The heroine is played by Monica Bellucci, a leading Italian actress. She passionately portrays her first Kurdish woman role, delivering fluent Persian. She masterfully embodies the passage of 30 years, from youth to old age, with vibrant intensity and full commitment. The protagonist, imprisoned for 30 years, is played by Behrouz Vossoughi, considered Iran's most legendary actor, who had effectively retired from filmmaking after going into exile following the Iranian Revolution. His role marks a powerful return to the screen.

Poet Sahel, Declared Dead While Imprisoned

During the Islamic Revolution, the poet Sahel was unjustly arrested due to the machinations of a certain man. Released 30 years later, he searches for his beloved wife Mina, from whom he was separated, only to discover that the government's lies declared him dead.

Meanwhile, Mina, convinced of her husband's death and consumed by grief, finds herself shadowed by another man. This man is none other than Akbar, who sent Sahel to prison and tore him away from Mina.

This deeply felt work was filmed in Turkey by director Ghobadi, who lives in exile, and star Behrouz Vossoughi. Ghobadi's cinematic world of chaos and ecstasy powerfully resonates with us through its undeniable reality.



Rhino Season
Opening nationwide on Saturday, July 11th, at Cinemaart Shinjuku and other theaters.
Produced, Directed, and Written by Bahman Ghobadi
Starring: Behrouz Vossoughi, Monica Bellucci, Yilmaz Erdogan, Caner Sinanoglu
Distribution: ESPACES SAROU
2012 / Iraq-Turkey / 93 min
http://rhinoseason-espacesarou.com