Feb 11, 2009, 6:48 PM

Curtain comes down on Fajr filmfest with wins for “Hesitation”, “About Elly”

TEHRAN, Feb. 11 (MNA) -- The 27th Fajr International Film Festival came to an end, with “Hesitation” and “About Elly” winning the Crystal Simorghs for best film and best director respectively.

The closing ceremony of the festival, which is Iran’s most important gala in the motion picture industry, was held at Tehran’s National Grand Hall on Tuesday evening.

“Hesitation”, a film noir about fratricide and infidelity, is Varuzh Karim-Masihi’s second film after a 19-year hiatus in filmmaking.

Starring Bahram Radan and Taraneh Alidusti, the film was produced by Saeid Sadi.

“About Elly”, which is about a group of middle class Iranians who drive to the shores of the Caspian Sea for a short break from Tehran, was allowed to be screened at the Fajr festival after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad mediated in an unusual step.

The selection board of the festival had previously rejected the film due to the appearance of one of the film’s stars, Golshifteh Farahani, in the Hollywood film “Body of Lies”, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, last year.

“About Elly” director Asghar Farhadi is currently in Berlin, where his film is competing in the 59th Berlin film festival. The film has also been warmly received in the Berlinale.

This year, the Best Actor Crystal Simorgh of the Fajr festival went to Shahab Hosseini for his role in “Superstar”, which focuses on the metamorphosis of an egotistic movie star.

When Hosseini came to the stage to receive his prize, he posed for a photograph like Khosro Shakibaii in order to commemorate the veteran Iranian actor, who died several months ago.

Leila Hatami won the Best Actress Crystal Simorgh for her role in “Penniless”, a drama about a couple facing destitution.

Saipa, an Iranian car company that was one of the main sponsors of the festival, gave this year’s top award winners Pride and Miniator cars.

Comedian Alireza Khamseh, who was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Crystal Simorgh for his serious role in “Twenty”, presented the car prize to his wife.

“Today is a great day, which also marks my marriage anniversary; I present my Pride to my wife and I hope she will never borrow my car again!” Khamseh said in his short speech.

“Twenty” also brought Mahtab Karamati the Best Supporting Actress Crystal Simorgh.

This year’s Special Jury Prize was given to director Parviz Shahbazi for making “14 Karat”, which is about a man who becomes a victim of his own misunderstanding.

“Penniless” (directed by Hamid Nematollah) and “About Elly” were jointly selected as the Audience Favorite Film.

Following is a list of the winners:

Best Film: “Hesitation” produced by Saeid Sadi

Best Director: Asghar Farhadi for “About Elly”

Best Screenplay: “Homeland” written by Farid Mostafavi and Abolhassan Davudi

Best Actor: Shahab Hosseini (“Superstar”)

Best Actress: Leila Hatami (“Penniless”)

Best Supporting Actor: Alireza Khamseh (“Twenty”)

Best Supporting Actress: Mahtab Karamati (“Twenty”)

Best Editor: Bahram Beizaii and Sepideh Abdolvahhab (“When All of Us Are Asleep”)

Best Cameraman: Morteza Pursamadi (“Around-the-Clock”)

Best Composer: Karan Homayunfar (“Homeland”)