THE CINEMA OF ABBAS KIAROSTAMI by Alberto Elena

Publication

Published by:

Saqi Books in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation and the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute.

Introduction:

Abbas Kiarostami's films have taken their place alongside the masterworks of world cinema. The creative boldness of his work is matched by a structural precision that is virtually unparalleled in modern-day cinema. Yet this most influential of filmmakers has produced a body of work that remains firmly rooted in contemporary Iran.

Esteemed cinema historian Alberto Elena uses Iranian sources wherever possible in this illuminating book, seeking to frame Kiarostami's oeuvre within the context of the rich artistic and intellectual Persian tradition that has nurtured the director. He examines his blending of fiction and reality, and his recurring themes of death, meaning in life (particularly that of women), solidarity and isolation. Kiarostami's career trajectory is also clearly mapped, from his early days as an illustrator and graphic designer to his current master-status - his adverts, short films, documentaries and features, as well as his collaborations, influences and critical reception in Iran and elsewhere. This important and insightful new retrospective reveals how this most Iranian of directors has come to assume a place in the pantheon of international cinema.

Kiarostami will find a quiet place and listen to a man's heart, right up until it stops beating. And then he will listen some more.' Time

• Lavishly illustrated with 8 colour pages
• Awarded 'Best Book on Cinema' by Spanish Association of Film Historians
• Features samples of Kiarostami's poetry throughout

Author:

Alberto Elena teaches film history at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. The editor of Secuencias, Revista de Historia del Cine, he has organised various film retrospectives and been a jury member at several international film festivals. Other publications include Cine e Islam, Satyajit Ray, Ciencia, Cine e historia: de Méliès a 2001 and The Cinema of Latin America.

Price:

12.99 GBP (free postage for all direct orders placed prior to 1 June 2005).

Orders:

orders@alsaqibookshop.com, 44 20 7229 8543 (tel), 44 20 7229 7492 (fax), ISBN: 0 86356 594 8.

Kiarostami festival:

This programme is part of a London-wide programme of events entitled Abbas Kiarostami: Visions of the Artist celebrating the achievements of this artist and his impact on contemporary culture and society.