TEHRAN – Iranian-Armenian filmmaker Anahid Abad, whose latest drama “Yeva” has been selected to represent Armenia at the Oscars, has said that she has her roots in the cultures of both countries.

She made the remarks in an interview with the Persian service of ISNA on Monday after the co-production by Iran and Armenia was submitted to the 90th Academy Awards in the best foreign-language film category.



“I’m really happy that this film has been chosen for the Oscars, because it is a joint production of Iran and Armenia,” Abad said and added, “Due to my dual nationality, I have my roots in the cultures of both Iran and Armenia and I really love both of them.”

She said that she has learned cinema in working with some prominent Iranian filmmakers as an assistant director, but “Yeva” as her directorial debut, which has been made in Armenia, directly represents the history and culture of the country.

“Yeva” has been co-produced by Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation and the National Cinema Center of Armenia.

The film tells the story of Yeva, a young woman who escapes her influential in-laws with her daughter Nareh after her husband’s tragic death, and takes refuge in one of the villages of Karabakh, Armenia.

The film is currently on screen in several Armenian cities.

Photo: Anahid Abad, the director of Armenia’s submission to the Oscars “Yeva”, attends the 35th Fajr International Film Festival at Tehran’s Charsu Cineplex on April 26, 2017. (FIFF/Yasaman Zohurtalab)



ABU/MMS/YAW

