Low Heights by Ebrahim Hatamikia (Iran, 2002, 115 minutes, 35mm)

Synopsis:
Against the resonant backdrop of September 11, 2001, a nerve-frayed man orchestrates a hijacking to fly his child and pregnant wife out of Iran and provide them with a better life. His scheme includes filling the aircraft with his raucous extended family by telling them he has secured them jobs at a British oil company. A huge box office hit in Iran, this wild, fast-paced tragicomedy explores different facets of the country's disillusionment and despair with energy, humor and insight. Filmmaker Ebrahim Hatamikia, who started out making propaganda films during the Iran-Iraq war, displays in this film his growing criticism of the Islamic Republic and a world order that encroaches on human dignity and freedom.
In Persian with English subtitles.

Post-screening panel discussion with Godfrey Cheshire (critic, NYC) and Roxanne Varsi (NYU)

Biography:
Born in Tehran in 1961, Ebrahim Hatamikia is one of the internationally recognized Iranian filmmakers who has devoted a considerable part of his work to the effects of war on Iranian society. After graduating with a degree in screenwriting from The College of Cinema and Theater Arts University, Hatamikia began his film career as a cinematographer in The Chronicle of Victory group.
His breakthrough films were The Scout and The Immigrant as two different works in Iranian war movies. Preoccupied with the theme of the consequences of war, he has won many awards in national film festivals and presented his recent works in prestigious international cinematic events-notably The Glass Agency in Berlin and The Red Ribbon in San Sebastian.

Festivals & Awards:
Fajr Film Festival, Audience Award, 2002
Iranian Film Festival at the Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago, 2002
The 9th Iranian Film Festival of at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 2002
Goteborg Film Festival, 2003
Mar Del Plata Film Festival, 2003
Moscow Film Festival, 2003