Dariush Mehrjui bags IFFK Lifetime Achievement Award

Thiruvananthapuram: Eminent filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui, who spearheaded cinematic renaissance in Iran, has been chosen for this year's International Film Festival of Kerala's 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.

The award, comprises a cash prize of Rs five lakh and a citation, Shaji N Karun, Chairman, IFFK 2015 advisory committee, said here in a release.

Mehrjui, who introduced little-explored cinematic themes and narratives in Iranian cinema, will be feted at the inaugural ceremony of the annual movie gala, scheduled to be held here from December 4-11.

Infused with a heady mix of realism and symbolism, Mehrjui's films helped foster the development of arthouse sensibilities among a fast-maturing cinema audience, it said.

After debuting with the unsuccessful Diamond 33 (1966), a big budget parody of Bond films, Mehrjui found acclaim and recognition with Gaav (The Cow, 1969), which is considered the first film of the Iranian New Wave movement, the release added.

IFFK 2015 is the state's premier film festival organised by state Chalachitra Academy.