Iranian film ‘Nargesi’ by Director Payam Eskandari has won the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal at the 53rd edition of International Film Festival of India, given for a film that best reflects Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of peace, tolerance and non-violence.
The film is about a man with Down’s syndrome and the burden and consequences it creates in his life. Compassion and tenderness are the two qualities depicted in this award-winning film.
In his virtual message, director Payam Eskandari thanked the IFFI jury members. “It is a big honour to receive this award, I want to thank those people who believed in me, to make this movie, especially my family – my lovely wife and all cast and crew of ‘Nargesi’.”
He further said, he believes people with ‘Down’s Syndrome’ are the angels of God and there are many beautiful stories about their life which should be heard.
This year, nine films from across the globe were chosen to compete for the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal. The films that competed in this category are:
A Tale of Two Sisters (Bangladesh | 2022)
Fortune (Tajikistan | 2022)
Mother (Bulgaria | 2022)
Naanu Kusuma (India | 2022)
Nargesi (Iran | 2021)
Paloma (Brazil, Portugal | 2022)
Saudi Vellakka (India | 2022)
The Kashmir Files (India | 2021)
White Dog (Canada | 2022)
