Regissör: Ida Panahandeh

Making my second feature was very challenging after the well-received [Nahid]. I didn’t want the success of my first feature to inhibit me from innovating in my second. Indeed, I wanted to use a more creative visual language and employ a novel cinematic narration. Through my direction and film editing, I’ve tried to give each character a distinct dimension, but all within the context of a uniform visual and audio style. In this way I hope to portray a love story that is accessible to people of all cultures, whilst also maintaining all that is specific to Iran. The Israfil of the title refers to the archangel who brings the dead back to life on Resurrection day. In our narrative it is love that is rekindled. The film focuses on three main characters and their interpretation of events: two women from different cultures and generations who love a man each in their own way. Rather than giving in to traditional values, they redefine love through today’s emotional requirements. [Israfil] is thus a modern love story.