Iran’s largest independent animation studio, Hoorakhsh Studios will launch its first major feature film, The Last Fiction, as a world premiere out of competition in official selection in Annecy. The film is billed as the first animated feature made entirely in the country with all Iranian artist and is the first time a fully Iranian movie is premiering at Annecy.
The 2D animated movie is directed by first-time helmer Ashkan Rahgozar, the co-founder and CEO of Hoorakhsh Studios, which was established in 2005.
The film is the debut feature of Ashkan Rahgozar, who is the co-founder and CEO of Hoorakhsh Studios, which was established in 2005. The Last Fiction is an adaptation of one chapter of the epic Persian poem Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) written by acclaimed Persian poet Ferdowsi between 977 and 1010. This Farsi masterpiece is based on ancient mythology, about the universal battle between good and evil. The voice cast includes top Iranian actors such as A Separation’s Leila Hatami, Parviz Parastui (Today) and Ashkan Khatibi (So Close, So Far).
The Last Fiction has been in production for eight years and created more than 1,000 jobs, including 500 artists and animators. One million work hours went into the film.
The film was produced by Ehsan Rahgozar and Arman Rahgozar, who co-founded Hoorakhsh with Rahgozar; executive producers are Ehsan Rasouloff, of Tehran’s Mohsen Gallery, and U.K.-based international acquisitions, development and production consultant Lorianne Hall. The Farsi-language film is subtitled in French and English and an English dubbed version of the film is also being prepared.
“The Last Fiction is a completely astounding offer from Iran: a film of epic ambitions, chockfull of action scenes, drawing us into a mythical world where good and evil lock horns,” noted Annecy Festival director Marcel Jean.
Source: Screen International
