Sudabeh Mortezai

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Sudabeh Mortezai
Born1968 (age 55–56)
Ludwigsburg, West Germany (now Germany)
NationalityAustrian
Iranian
Occupation(s)Director, producer, screenwriter
Years active2006–present

Sudabeh Mortezai (born 1968), is an Austrian–Iranian filmmaker and producer.[1] She is best known as the director of critically acclaimed films Macondo and Joy,[2] which won several awards at international film festivals.[3][4][5][6]

Personal life[edit]

She was born on 1968 in Ludwigsburg, Germany to Iranian parents. She spent her childhood and youth in Vienna and Tehran.[1]

Career[edit]

She moved to Vienna and studied theater, film and media. Then she studied film at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Los Angeles. During this period, she made various short and documentary films including 2006 documentary Children of the Prophet. It focuses on Iranian mourning rituals for Imam Hossein, the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson.[7]

In 2009, she made Im Bazar der Gender which describes the widespread practice of temporary marriage in Shiite Islam.[8] Later in 2014, she made her maiden feature film Macondo. The film is the portrait of a Chechen refugee boy. It was invited to the 64th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale competition),[9] and competed for Golden Bear Award.

After the success of the film, she made her second feature film Joy in 2018.[10] It revolves around the story of a Nigerian woman on a voyage to find freedom. The film received critical acclaim and won several awards at different international film festivals. The film was invited to the 75th Venice Film Festival in the section Giornate degli Autori.[11] Then she won the Europa Cinemas Label as Best European Film in the Giornate degli Autori section of the Venice Film Festival.[12] In the meantime, he co-founded the film production company 'FreibeuterFilm'.[1] The film also won the first Hearst Film Award for Best Female Director.[13]

In October 2018, the film won the award for the Best Film at BFI London Film Festival.[14] At 54th Chicago International Film Festival, the film won Silver Hugo Special Jury Award.[15] Then in December 2018, the film received the Golden Star for best film at the Marrakech International Film Festival[16]

Filmography[edit]

Year Film Role Genre Ref.
2006 Children of the Prophet Director, writer Documentary
2009 Im Bazar der Geschlechter Director, writer Documentary
2014 Macondo Director, writer Film
2018 Joy Director, writer Film [17]
2023 Europa Director, writer Film

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Sudabeh Mortezai: Director, producer". dok. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Sudabeh Mortezai". viennale. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  3. ^ Prot, Bénédicte (11 November 2014). "Macondo triumphs at Vienna". Cineuropa. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  4. ^ Dale, Martin (8 December 2018). "'Joy' Wins the Golden Star at Marrakech Film Festival". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  5. ^ Ricciardi, Silvia (7 September 2018). "Sex-trafficking drama 'Joy' wins Europa Cinemas Label in Venice". Screen Daily. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  6. ^ Ritman, Alex (20 October 2018). "London Film Festival: Sudabeh Mortezai's 'Joy' Wins Top Prize". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Berlin Women Directors: Meet Sudabeh Mortezai". Women and Hollywood. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  8. ^ "In the Gender Bazaar: "Mullahs like to talk about sex"". diepresse. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Macondo". berlinale. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Success for Mortezai's "Joy" in Venice". ots. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  11. ^ "21 films compete for the Golden Lion in Venice". kleinezeitung. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  12. ^ "Sudabeh Mortezai wins Europa Cinemas Venice Label". giornatedegliautori. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Sudabeh Mortezai wins the first Hearst Film Award". giornatedegliautori. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  14. ^ "2018 competition winners announced at the 62nd BFI London Film Festival". British Film Institute. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Awards Announced for 54th Chicago International Film Festival". Chicago Film Festival. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  16. ^ "Sudabeh Mortezai's "Joy" Wins Best Film at Marrakech Fest". Women and Hollywood. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Rain of prizes and good occupancy". viennale18. Retrieved 27 October 2020.

External links[edit]

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