Iranian Short Film ‘Khalil’ Selected for France’s Plein la Bobine Festival
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Yasmin Alta
- . May 22, 2025
- . Update: May 22, 2025 5:26 pm
An Iranian short film “khalil ’’ in development and production in 2024 and proclaiming that Iranian cinema is still alive today, is ultimately a moving story about a 13-year-old innocent boy named Khalil from an obscure Iranian plateau village, who is struggling most with one question
– “Did my father go to heaven or hell?”
I think it would be considered a “coming-of-age” story that can be described as a journey of the soul in search of answers to the question. With the unquestionable determination of a child, Khalil goes to others in the village who knew his father and asks them to forgive the father for any wrong that he may have done to them and when he can to be at peace, he even writes a letter to God on behalf of his father asking God to have mercy with them.
The film is a beautiful example of how a simple 20-minute drama can capture the innocence and purity of a young teenager who is thrust into long-lasting deep spiritual pondering, mixed with a desire for vindication.
The director stated, “the world seen through children’s eyes allows us to talk about global, social, political, and religious issues in a softer and more meaningful way.”
Seyed Payam Hosseini directed the film. He is a filmmaker with 13 years of experience in the industry. He heads the Panah Film Cinema Institute and is also an organizer of the Panah National Film and Short Screenplay Festival. His initial short film, The Kites, was awarded at the 70th Berlinale Film Festival in the Generation section.
