Iranian film tops Italian film festival

PRESS TV - Iranian filmmaker Homayoun Asadian's Gold and Copper has won the top award of the 2011 edition of Italy's Religion Today International Film Festival.

Asadian's movie received both the “In the Spirit of Faith Award” and a special prize from the SIGNIS jury (World Catholic Association for Communication) at the 14th Religion Today International Film Festival in Italy, ISNA reported. 

Gold and Copper narrates the life of Seyyed Reza, a young clergyman who travels to Tehran to complete his education. His wife being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis changes Seyyed Reza's life, forcing him to leave his theological studies and take care of his wife and two children. 

The jury described the film as the story of man who attains great spiritual heights through his love, hope and faith. In their view, Gold and Copper manifested how everyday problems would pave the way for spirituality. 

Tahereh Hassanzadeh's Halimeh is the other Iranian movie that won the Women and Religions Award at the festival. 

Babak Nabizadeh's Empty hands, Full Heart, Dariush Gharibzadeh's Sokar and Zohreh Zamani's The Barefoot Leader also participated in the “Poverty: Problem or Opportunity?” section of the event. 

Alireza Amini's Petition for Allah, Fima Emami's Moonlight on the Platform, Vahid Hajiloui's Where Is Fatemeh's House? and Mehdi Yarmohammadi's Seven Regards were also screened at the “Rites and Beliefs” section of the festival. 

The 2011 Religion Today Film Festival was held from October 14 to 26 in Trento, Rome, Milan, Bolzano and Nomadelfia with previews in other Italian towns and cities such as Teggiano , Bassano and Merano.

Organized by the Association Bianconero, Italy's Religion Today Film Festival aims to promote a mutual understanding between individuals, peoples, faiths and cultures. Educational workshops on the religious cinema were also held on the sidelines of the event.