For Iranian film maker Mohsen Makhmalbaf, the Kochi International Film Festival(KIFF), which began on Sunday, turned out to be a special life event.
Makhmalbaf would be re-uniting with his mother Esmeth after a long eight years. “Thank you India for the kind gesture,” he said. He left Iran in 2004 following the restrictions imposed by the authorities over film makers. Since then, Makhmalbaf had not been able to visit Iran or see his mother.
“While inviting me to the KIFF, the organisers told me that they wanted my family to accompany me. When my mother heard about my plan to visit India, she told me that she would visit India as well. Thank you India,” said an emotional Makhmalbaf during the inaugural ceremony.
Along with Makhmalbaf, his wife Marzieh, daughters Samira and Hana, and son Maysam Makhmalbaf, were also present. Makhmalbaf’s other family members, including his sister, are also in Kerala, truly making the festival an occasion for a family reunion.