Golden Goblet Awards Competing Film｜The Annoyed: A Three-Act Film Portraying the Dilemmas of Filmmakers

On June 15th, THE ANNOYED, nominated for the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival, had its world premiere and creators’ meeting. Director Mehdi Fard Ghaderi and the three main cast members attended the event to interact with fans and share their understanding of the film.

A Bold Exploration

The Iranian film THE ANNOYED tells three stories that depict the dilemmas of three directors: Adel Avista plans to immigrate to Germany but cancels the plan when the young male lead of his debut film is sentenced to death, leading him to embark on a rescue mission; Azar Etemad is preparing for her first feature film and intends to address the issue of violence against women, but faces obstacles from her own husband, who becomes the biggest impediment to her filmmaking plan; Sepanta Shaigan has been diagnosed with cancer and has an alternative plan for his last work.

Director Mehdi Fard Ghaderi is renowned for his impressive debut film IMMORTALITY, a 145-minute one-take. THE ANNOYED is his third self-written and self-directed feature film. Through the perspectives of three protagonists of different genders and ages, the film reveals the numerous challenges faced by the contemporary Iranian film industry.

During the media Q&A session, Mehdi Fard Ghaderi mentioned, “This is my first time exploring filmmaking in this traditional or classic academy style. I wanted to see what kind of filmmaking approach suits me best through this creation.” When asked if the experiences portrayed in the film were based on his own life, the director said that while the stories were not his personal experiences, they were authentic representations of the lives of filmmakers around him. As an Iranian director, he has always been attentive to everything happening in Iran and among Iranian filmmakers. Documenting the stories unfolding in Iran is like recording his own growth. He hopes that through this film, he can present the realities that Iranian filmmakers face to the audience.

A Tribute to the Classics

Iranian cinema is renowned for its concise, delicate, and unadorned language, often reflecting the social realities of Iran through stories of ordinary individuals. THE ANNOYED is no exception. Excited viewers at the screening said that the film revealed the resilient and kind side of filmmakers in Iran and worldwide. The film candidly portrays the issues faced by Iranian filmmakers in their daily lives. It possesses a refreshing quality that distinguishes it from the increasingly tumultuous world, as it tenaciously seeks the meaning of life and the significance of cinema within a harsh reality.

When asked why a director’s name was mentioned in each story, Mehdi Fard Ghaderi explained that it was a tribute to these directors and a homage to classic films. “Although I am far from these directors in real life, through cinema, I have bridged the gap between us on a spiritual level.”

Mehdi Fard Ghaderi further stated, “This film marks my first attempt at simultaneously shooting three different parts with three teams. Each team had its own creativity and feelings during the filmmaking process. Therefore, I hope the audience can watch these three parts separately.” He also revealed that he is currently working on his fourth film, which will be a long-take film, aiming to portray the customs and traditions of Iran.