Iranian Directors' Short Film 'Il Silenzio' Represents Italy at Cannes After 19-Year Absence
For the first time since 1997, an Italian production has been selected for the Short Film Competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The short film 'Il Silenzio' is directed by Iranian couple Ali Asgari and Farnoosh Samadi, who previously collaborated on 'More Than Two Hours' and 'The Baby'—the latter directed solely by Asgari and earning over 100 awards worldwide with selections at Cannes and Venice. The 15-minute film portrays a Kurdish mother with advanced cancer who does not speak Italian, a doctor who diagnoses her, and a daughter who must interpret but chooses silence over delivering the painful news. Asgari, supported by Cinéfondation, is already working on his first feature film, expected to debut at an international festival.
Key facts
- Italy had not participated in the Cannes Short Film Competition since 1997.
- 'Il Silenzio' is directed by Iranian couple Ali Asgari and Farnoosh Samadi.
- The film is 15 minutes long.
- It tells the story of a Kurdish mother with advanced cancer who does not speak Italian.
- The daughter acts as interpreter but chooses silence over revealing the diagnosis.
- Asgari's previous film 'The Baby' won over 100 awards and was selected at Cannes and Venice.
- Asgari is working on his first feature film under the auspices of Cinéfondation.
- The article was written by Federica Polidoro.
Entities
Artists
- Ali Asgari
- Farnoosh Samadi
- Federica Polidoro
Institutions
- Cannes Film Festival
- Cinéfondation
- Artribune
- Roma Tre Film Festival
- Teatro Palladium
Locations
- Cannes
- France
- Italy
- Iran
- Venice
- Rome