At the height of the demonstrations during the Abadan shipyard workers’ strike, Amir’s body is found in a canal in circumstances that leave much open to doubt.
Ibrahim, Amir’s brother must now not only look after his ageing mother, but also Salwa, his brother’s young and beautiful widow, for whom he has unexpressed feelings.
The employer’s lawyer offers the family cash if they agree not to sue the shipyard, but Ibrahim’s mother and the striking workers are against any deal.
Ibrahim, not wanting to be trapped between the two contending parties, cannot decide, but Salwa has other ideas.
Cast: Afshin Hashemi, Shirin Esmaeili, Mehdi Sabaghi, Tayebeh Nik-Azad
* * *
Director’s statement:
The Iranian workers’ movement has had its highs and lows, but its demands have recently grown in importance. The Iranian worker, confronted by both international sanctions and state-imposed privatisations, now earns less than he ever did. Within the context of this daily drama the worker has to choose between his social obligations and private life. He has no other choice but to affirm his presence and historical role, by stating, ‘I am here!’
Festivals:
*-23rd Shanghai International Film Festival, China. July 25-August 02, 2020. Golden Goblet Award Official Selection. *-19th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF), Bangladesh. January 16-24, 2021. ‘Spiritual Films Section’ *-7th Zurich Iranian Film Festival, Switzerland. May 26-June 06, 2021. ‘Competition’ Section *-14th Iranian Film Festival San Francisco, USA. September 18-19, 2021. ‘Competition’ section
Read about this film
Title: I am here! | Man inja hastam! (2020)
Directed by: Abbas Amini
Date of birth: 2 October 1993, Darab, southern Iran
Writing credits:
Abbas Amini, Hossein Farokhzadeh
Music by: Mehran Ghaedi
Country: Iran
Language: Farsi
Color: Color
Runtime: 94 min.