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Special screening: Caveh Zahedi

With an introduction by Amir Asgharnejad
Wednesday 25.01.23
Caveh

Welcome to the Norwegian premiere of two films by the Iranian-American filmmaker Caveh Zahedi. Unknown to many albeit a longstanding career, Zahedi has taken the concept of autobiographical film to new and hyperpersonal levels. He proudly shows off his worst social moments and aspects of his personality most people wouldn't.

Before the screening there'll be a conversation between the Norwegian-Iranian artist Amir Asgharnejad (Herr Kunstmaler) and program assistant Daniel Vatsvåg, who has curated the screening.

About the screening

Narcissistic, exhibitionistic, pretentious, horny, self-effacing and ethically dubious - Zahedi does not shy away from any personal flaws. He describes his films as an attempt to confront taboos, strip away unnecessary facades and explore aspects of himself on the way to a more universal truth (often with the help of psychedelics). Hated by Jean-Luc Godard and loved by Jacques Derrida, Zahedi has built up a devoted following over the years and served as an inspiration for several prominent filmmakers.

Program

Dimitri in the Mud with Turquoise

2006 | USA | directed by Caveh Zahedi | 11 min | language: English

Caveh Zahedi smokes the hallucinogenic drug DMT on camera.

I Don’t Hate Las Vegas Anymore

1994 | USA | directed by Caveh Zahedi | 70 min | language: English

Caveh makes the trip to Las Vegas with his Iranian-born father and younger brother (14) to confront and come to terms with childhood trauma, while at the same time proving the existence of God. When that doesn't work, he instead persuades his father and little brother to try ecstasy with him. The film won the critic's prize at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and has since developed a small cult following.

About the filmmaker

Caveh Zahedi (f. 1960) er en filmskaper, skuespiller og forfatter som kombinerer både dokumentariske og dramatiske elementer i sitt arbeid. Filmene hans er premiert på flere internasjonale filmfestivaler og han er mottaker av både Guggenheim- og Roma-stipendiat. Han har regissert A Little Stiff (1991), I Don’t Hate Las Vegas Anymore (1994), In the Bathtub of the World (2001), I Am a Sex Addict (2005) og The Sheik and I (2012). Han har selv hatt roller i filmer som Waking Life (2001) og Citizen Ruth (1996). For tiden er han aktuell med webserien The Show About The Show (2015-).

Caveh Zahedi (b. 1960) is a director, actor and writer who combines both documentary and dramatic elements in his work. His films have won prizes at several international film festivals and he is a recipient of both the Guggenheim and Rome grants. His films include A Little Stiff (1991), I Don't Hate Las Vegas Anymore (1994), In the Bathtub of the World (2001), I Am a Sex Addict (2005) and The Sheik and I (2012). He has had roles in films such as Waking Life (2001) and Citizen Ruth (1996). His most recent work is the ongoing web series The Show About The Show (2015-).

In conversation

Amir Asgharnejad (b. 1985 in Iran) grew up in Kristiansand and lives in Oslo. He is also known by the name Herr Kunstmaler. Asgharnejad has a master's degree from the Academy of Fine Arts in Oslo, and also has a background as an actor and comedian. In recent years, he has shown works at, among others, Gallery BOA (Oslo), Arteriet (Kristiansand), Tegnerforbundet (Oslo), Kristiansund Kunsthall and Galleri Golsa (Oslo). He has taken part in several film and TV productions, including Kristoffer Borgli's DRIB and as the lead in the drama series Oslo Zoo on NRK1.

Daniel Vatsvåg is a part-time actor who has played in films by Kim Hiorthøy, Gunhild Enger, Kasper Häggström and Yenni Lee. He is also a former editor of Filter Film and TV, has reviewed films for NATT&DAG and was for several years part of the Norwegian Film Institute's purchasing committee for Norwegian short and documentary films. Daniel currently works as a program assistant at Kunstnernes Hus Cinema.

See also