TEHRAN, June 26 (Mehr News Agency) -- Director Puran Derakhshandeh is convinced that Iranian cinema must find an audience in neighboring countries.

Derakhshandeh, who recently returned from Iran's cultural weeks in Qatar and Sudan, told the Mehr News Agency on Monday that Iranian cinema enjoys high cultural status.

"A Candle in the Wind" by Derakhshandeh and "Too Far, Too Close" by Reza Mirkarimi were two of the Iranian films screened at the events in Qatar and Sudan.

Derakhshandeh said, "It was a pity to see that Iranian cinema has not found its audience in neighboring countries. Our country is one of the leading countries in film production. We have won many awards at world festivals but still don't have our world viewers.

"Most of the cinema halls in Sudan screen Indian films. However, the cultural officials of Sudan are not satisfied and they believe that the films have nothing in common with their culture. But they could easily relate to Iranian films after they watched them.

"I believe it is the duty of the government to attract the audience through its cultural exchanges. Iranian cinema is quite well-known at world festivals but not successful in attracting the world audience. If we can screen Iranian films in neighboring countries, we can provide a good opportunity for the future of filmmaking. In this way, we can make more productions in the country."

She also noted that cultural weeks provide an avenue to attract more viewers.

... Payvand News - 6/26/06 ... --