GOODBYE LIFE (ADIEU LA VIE / SHAB BEKHEIR FARMANDEH)

NARRATIVE, Iran, 2006, 95 minutes; in Farsi with English subtitles

Director/Writer: Ensieh Shah-Hosseini
Producer: Seyyed Saeid Seyyedzadeh

The first feature by Iranian filmmaker Ensieh Shah-Hosseini is based on her eight-year-long experience as a journalist during the 1980’s Iran/Iraq war. Maryam, the film’s heroine, goes to the war zone as a photographer as a way of committing suicide for her country and expiating the shame she feels for divorcing her husband. Amid the slaughter she discovers new meaning in life. A profoundly anti-war film, GOODBYE LIFE is unsparing in depicting death and destruction. But it also shows Iranian villagers living in the war zone determined to preserve the rituals of daily life, even when a wedding celebration turns into a funeral. Except for Ladan Mostofi, who gives an exceptionally intelligent performance as Maryam, most of the actors are friends Shah-Hosseini made during the war, who reenact, with great conviction, events that happened to them at that time. (Amy Taubin)

· 2006 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival: Special Mention

Ensieh Shah-Hosseini was born in Gorgan, and graduated with a degree in Cinematography. Her remarkable resume includes stints as a war reporter, documentary filmmaker, screenwriter, researcher and award-winning novelist. Her short film DEADLINE won the first prize at the 2001 Women’s Film Festival in Seoul.