TEHRAN, Sept. 26 (Mehr News Agency) -- "The Song of Sparrows" is representing Iran at the 81st Annual Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Films category. Directed by Majid Majidi, "The Song of Sparrows" is a bittersweet parable about the struggles of a family living in a rural area outside Tehran.

The film was chosen by a selection board from among a collection that also included "So Simple", "Night Bus", and "Persian Carpet".

The board members, selected by the Farabi Cinematic Foundation (FCF), included the director of the FCF's International Relations Section Amir Esfandiari, film director Mohammad Bozorgnia, screenwriter Frahad Tohidi, film critic Azizollah Haji-Mashhadi, cameraman Mohammad Davari, musician Mohammad Sarir, producer Alireza Shojanuri, filmmaker Rasul Sadr-Ameli, and actress Fatemeh Motamed-Aria.

Reza Naji won the Silver Bear prize for best actor at the 58th annual Berlin International Film Festival for his role in "The Song of Sparrows".

Leading actor Reza Naji (left) and director Majid Majidi. Naji, won the Silver Bear Award of 58th Berlin Film Festival.

The film has previously received several accolades at the Iranian festival.

In 1999, "The Children of Heaven", Majidi's film depicting the face of poverty in an Iranian family, was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Films category at the Academy Awards.

In addition, his "The Color of Paradise" and "Baran" were nominated for an Oscar in 2000 and 2002 respectively.

... Payvand News - 09/26/08 ...

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