Disappearance (2017) is an Iranian drama film which had its world premiere at the 74th Venice International Film Festival and was later screened at the Discovery Section at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. During a dramatic night, two young lovers run from hospital to hospital seeking help for complications they encounter after their first time.
"I love to make realistic films with a human connection," said filmmaker Ali Asgari, adding that his film is based on a real story. "We had also shot a documentary on the same subject. First movies were all about entertainment but today we've grown and are looking to not just entertain through our films but also communicate."
Winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, The Other Side of Hope intertwines the stories of two itinerant protagonists: Khaled, a young Syrian refugee who drifts into Helsinki harbour as a stowaway; and Wikström, a travelling salesman turned restaurateur, who finds Khaled sleeping outside his diner and hires him as a cleaner and dishwasher.
Simon-Al-Bazoontold (actor) told media that, in order to prepare for the role he did a lot of research. He was a translator and volunteered at the Refugee Welcome Federation, where he learnt a lot of stories and interacted with the refugees at the camp.
I love to make realistic films: Ali Asgari
Under the section ‘Indian Panorama - Meet The Directors' at IFFI 2017, filmmakers Ali Asgari and actor Simon Al-Bazoon spoke about their respective films, Disappearance and The Other Side of Hope.
