The Pantheon of IFFK: Lifetime
Leila / Leila
Dariush Mehrjui
Director's bio
Dariush Mehrjui
Dariush Mehrjui (1939–2023) was a pioneering Iranian filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer, widely regarded as a founding figure of the Iranian New Wave cinema. Born in Tehran on December 8, 1939, Mehrjui studied cinema at UCLA before returning to Iran, where he directed his debut Diamond 33 (1966). His second film, The Cow (1969), adapted from Gholam-Hossein Saedi’s story, is considered the cornerstone of the Iranian New Wave, blending realism with allegory to critique rural poverty and social decay. Over his career, Mehrjui crafted films deeply inspired by literature, philosophy, and social issues, often adapting Iranian and foreign novels. His notable works include The Cycle (1977), Hamoun (1990), Sara (1992), Pari (1995), Leila (1997), and Santouri (2007). These films explored themes of existential struggle, gender dynamics, and the clash between tradition and modernity.
Synopsis
After her marriage with Reza, Leila comes to realize that she will never be able to conceive. Reza’s domineering mother compels her to persuade him for another marriage. Leila is forced to endure the humiliation and emotional pain of sharing her private life with another woman. The film portrays a woman’s complex confrontation with a painful reality that becomes an inseparable part of her everyday existence.
Details of Cast
Leila Hatami, Ali Mosaffa, Jamileh Sheikhi, Mohammad Reza Sharifinia, Turan Mehrzad
Details of Crew
DoP: Mahmud Klari Music: Keivan Jahanshahi Editor: Mostafa Kherqepush
Producer Details
Dariush Mehrjui, Faramarz Farazmand
Writer Details
Dariush Mehrjui
Stills
Films in this category
1974
Chorus
1976
Raise Ravens
2011
The Turin Horse
1960
Breathless
1997
Mother and Son
1965
Fists in the Pocket
Categories
- International Competition (14)
- Homage (11)
- World Cinema (57)
- Country Focus : Vietnam (5)
- Indian Cinema Now (7)
- Kaleidoscope (8)
- Malayalam Cinema Today (12)
- Restored Classics (5)
- Opening Film (1)
- Special Screening (1)
- Midnight Screening (2)
- Spirit of Cinema (1)
- The Global Griot : Sissako's Cinematic Journey (5)
- Signatures In Motion (4)
- Festival Favourites (13)
- Viva el Cine: Latin American Films (5)
- Saeed Mirza Retrospective (3)
- Ritwik Ghatak Centenary (4)
- Youssef Chahine Retrospective (3)
- Garin Nugroho: The Poetic Archipelago (5)
- The Suvarna Legacy : Suvarna Chakoram (17)
- Her Lens Her Voice (5)
- From Under The Olive Tree (4)
- 50 Years of Rajeevnath (1)
Download Mobile Apps:
