Fajr International Film Festival

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The French director, writer, and editor best known for directing The Red Siren, Transporter 3, Colombiana, and Taken 2, and Taken 3 is attending the 36th edition of Fajr International Film Festival. He said his interest in Iran's cinema has been the biggest motif to participate the ongoing event.

He added despite cultural differences between Iran and France, two countries are still bounded, noting nations could be friends despite the differences.

Interview with Olivier comes as following:

1. Dear Olivier please give us a little introduction of yourself?

Usually I attend festivals as a jury or presenter of my films, but this year because of my interest in Iran’s cinema I myself decided to join the festival to see Iran’s culture and cinema with my own eyes and also attend the master classes of the festival.

2.  As you know festivals are famous for special images. For example, Cannes Film Festival is famous for its artistic theme and Berlin for its political them. What do you think Fajr is famous for?

I think it has changes. Some years ago Cannes festival was more artistic, but now it is only about money, no young filmmaker can join the festival but here I see so many young and talented filmmakers showing their skills by their works.so this festival is more alive and active.

3. As a director what kind of theme interests you more?

I can say most of themes are my favorites, but I specifically focus on lives of suburban in France, their challenges, problems and the violence exists there .I aim to show the insecurity of society and how to find a solution for it.

4.  How do you think artists, especially directors could be effective in making their country's cinema known internationally? And how do you think cinemas in world could bound?

Once I had a project in China, let me tell you a secret, everything there is totally different from France. So making these two cultures and cinema connected is a difficult mission. But artists always find a way to connect cultures and genres to each other. But some movies have universal themes or motifs, so all kinds of audiences from all over the world can enjoy them. About Iran and French cinema, I still insist on the differences of cultures. It is very difficult to have co-production but people like Farhadi and Kiarostami have accomplished the mission of touching people’s heart gratefully.

5.  As you know due to some political issues Iran’s image has been miss represented to the world, how festivals like Fajr, can show the real face of Iran?

Today people don’t care that much about the things told by media. They either find the truth or don’t care about the news at all. People in west, mainly the USA are not aware of other countries and their situations.