Latifi: “intended to narrate a human story”?

In a discussion held in Niavaran cultural center to review his latest film “ The Third Day”?, Latifi stated that he always attempts things that have not been done before. “If I had attempted to make “The Third Day”?, 4 or 5 years after I started my career in cinema, I would have failed. I am glad that I got the opportunity to make this film 24 years after I entered this business. I felt a particular vigor in me as I was making this film, which made me survive the tough conditions I was in.”? “The fact was that we didn’t know what would happen next. The film did have its flaws; but the viewer gets so absorbed in the film that they don’t sense the flaws”? he added. Latifi went on to enumerate his experiments with different cinematic genres. “‘Sunglasses’ is a top comedy while ‘female residence hall’ was definitely a success in horror cinema. They may not be very strong films, but they are considered among the best. This is why I like to experiment with different genres.”? He attributed a major part of his success to his film crew and added “I try to get very close to the rest of the crew; it is their energy that makes the project move on.”? Latifi was then asked why he had not dealt with the character of martyr Jahan Ara in his film. “The story was so extensive that I could not focus on any more characters in it. I could not involve the character of Jahan Ara in the work and then leave it just like that.”? “Third Day”? director announced his intention to make a 30 episode series on Khoramshahr next year. The new series will totally deal with the 34-day occupation of Khoramshahr. Latifi continued his talk by referring to the ‘canal’ sequence in his film. “The canal sequence was taken exactly out of the memoirs of Mohammad Nourani. It is a very touching sequence and a very important one for me.”? The film’s producer Hamid Akhoundi who was also present in the meeting, noted that the film has attempted to present life as a war has occurred in it. “There was a point in the production of the film where everyone thought the film will not make it in time for Fajr festival. All the crew prayed for the film to get ready in time”? he recalled. Akhoundi criticized IRIB for what he called “lack of attention”? to his film. “Why is it that this film does not receive the credit that it merits? IRIB does not even invite any of the stars of this film to their famous “Hot Seat”? talk show. If the news section of Channel 2 receives other directors, well it’s the right of “The Third Day”? director to be invited to this program as well; especially as the film was recognized as the best film of Fajr Film Festival last year.”? “Unfortunately even the symbolic gesture made by the director and producer of the film to present the Fajr awards to the families of a martyr and an injured war veteran did not receive any coverage by television.”? “I feel that I should produce films which make the audience contemplate for at least 5 minutes. The day we came back from the war no body gave us any medals. I don’t expect anybody to give us medals for producing a war film either.”? Akhoundi continued. Pouria Poursorkh, the film’s actor participating in the discussion, said he had prayed for his part in the film to be offered to him. “After the TV series “Vafaa”?, I didn’t like the path that I saw ahead of me. Reza’s part in “The Third Day”? had the potential to be turned into a significant one. I really like this part and I feel possessive of It.”? he said. Reza Dorostkar, who was also chairing the discussion, considered “The Third Day”?, the best experience of all of his crew. “All the crew tried to move forward in their artistic careers with this film. Latifi has proved with this film that he can be a top director.”? Dorostkar noted.

In a discussion held in Niavaran cultural center to review his latest film “ The Third Day”?, Latifi stated that he always attempts things that have not been done before. “If I had attempted to make “The Third Day”?, 4 or 5 years after I started my career in cinema, I would have failed. I am glad that I got the opportunity to make this film 24 years after I entered this business. I felt a particular vigor in me as I was making this film, which made me survive the tough conditions I was in.”? “The fact was that we didn’t know what would happen next. The film did have its flaws; but the viewer gets so absorbed in the film that they don’t sense the flaws”? he added. Latifi went on to enumerate his experiments with different cinematic genres. “‘Sunglasses’ is a top comedy while ‘female residence hall’ was definitely a success in horror cinema. They may not be very strong films, but they are considered among the best. This is why I like to experiment with different genres.”? He attributed a major part of his success to his film crew and added “I try to get very close to the rest of the crew; it is their energy that makes the project move on.”? Latifi was then asked why he had not dealt with the character of martyr Jahan Ara in his film. “The story was so extensive that I could not focus on any more characters in it. I could not involve the character of Jahan Ara in the work and then leave it just like that.”? “Third Day”? director announced his intention to make a 30 episode series on Khoramshahr next year. The new series will totally deal with the 34-day occupation of Khoramshahr. Latifi continued his talk by referring to the ‘canal’ sequence in his film. “The canal sequence was taken exactly out of the memoirs of Mohammad Nourani. It is a very touching sequence and a very important one for me.”? The film’s producer Hamid Akhoundi who was also present in the meeting, noted that the film has attempted to present life as a war has occurred in it. “There was a point in the production of the film where everyone thought the film will not make it in time for Fajr festival. All the crew prayed for the film to get ready in time”? he recalled. Akhoundi criticized IRIB for what he called “lack of attention”? to his film. “Why is it that this film does not receive the credit that it merits? IRIB does not even invite any of the stars of this film to their famous “Hot Seat”? talk show. If the news section of Channel 2 receives other directors, well it’s the right of “The Third Day”? director to be invited to this program as well; especially as the film was recognized as the best film of Fajr Film Festival last year.”? “Unfortunately even the symbolic gesture made by the director and producer of the film to present the Fajr awards to the families of a martyr and an injured war veteran did not receive any coverage by television.”? “I feel that I should produce films which make the audience contemplate for at least 5 minutes. The day we came back from the war no body gave us any medals. I don’t expect anybody to give us medals for producing a war film either.”? Akhoundi continued. Pouria Poursorkh, the film’s actor participating in the discussion, said he had prayed for his part in the film to be offered to him. “After the TV series “Vafaa”?, I didn’t like the path that I saw ahead of me. Reza’s part in “The Third Day”? had the potential to be turned into a significant one. I really like this part and I feel possessive of It.”? he said. Reza Dorostkar, who was also chairing the discussion, considered “The Third Day”?, the best experience of all of his crew. “All the crew tried to move forward in their artistic careers with this film. Latifi has proved with this film that he can be a top director.”? Dorostkar noted.