Majid Majidi's latest film, 'Midday Meal,' was screened at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The director dedicated the premiere to the brave people of Iran and the lost children of Minab.
Before the screening in the festival's main competition program on October 9, Majidi made a brief statement. He announced that he dedicates the film to the brave and courageous people of Iran, as well as the deceased children of Minab. He recalled that 168 children were killed on the first day of the war, which, according to him, was imposed on Iran by the US and Israel, but the people continue to resist steadfastly.
The director emphasized that they welcome these brave people who have not bowed their heads and will not. He stated his intention to restore everything that has been destroyed, noting that the Iranian people possess resilience, resist oppression, and maintain their independence, asserting that the only crime of the Iranian people is their pursuit of independence.
This family social drama film, lasting 133 minutes, which addresses themes of human rights and children, is a 2026 production and marks Majidi's first visit to the festival, according to Honaronline. The film was financed by the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Youth and was shot exclusively in southern Iran using an entirely local cast, without the participation of famous stars such as Mohammad Rahimi, Heyri Zakeri, Rahim Bakhsh Pira, and Heybatmorad Damani.
In 'Midday Meal,' Majidi portrays the story of a rural teacher who begins to doubt his own morality and sanity while trying to address the diverse needs of his young and elderly students. This slowly unfolding drama about moral decay takes place in a country afflicted by poverty and bureaucracy. The touching drama by the Iranian author participates in the Busan competition, where he and lead actor Mohammad Rahimi may receive awards.
In the village of Solan, a dry land resembling the end of the world, Solan is the only educator. After many years working in a low-paid temporary position, he harbors a modest dream—to become a permanent teacher and live in a decent home with his mother. However, everything collapses after the death of a philanthropist who funded the school's feeding program. If the meals stop, most students will stop coming, and the closure of the school will become inevitable. The education department offers no real help, merely ordering classes to continue. In desperation, Solan pawns his belongings, moves into the school, and begins a dangerous double life: during the day he is a teacher, and at night, an oil smuggler. Meanwhile, his mother remains nearby, quietly trusting him.
'Midday Meal' showcases this world with unvarnished realism, according to master filmmaker Majidi, and his direction reveals an ability to capture multilayered emotions that are difficult to express in words. His camera approaches the characters' feelings and then pauses at key moments, intensifying the drama precisely through this stillness. Is Solan's goal worth the cost? Are his choices driven by pure goodness or is it merely selfishness disguised as virtue?
Within the film's runtime, it can reflect only one aspect of reality, but how deeply conscience can take root for future generations remains up to the viewers.
With 'Midday Meal,' Majid Majidi does not aim to replicate the success of his famous films. He returns to issues that have accompanied his entire career but presents them in a more mature, harsh, and complex narrative. Poor children still exist, injustice subtly permeates lives, but this time the tragedy is viewed through the eyes of an adult—one who understands what is right but cannot always do what is right.
The current edition of BIFF is the first since the International Federation of Film Producers Associations recognized Busan as one of its 17 top-tier festivals. The winner of the Busan award for Best Film now also qualifies to submit to the Academy for Best International Feature Film. This status places Busan alongside five other festivals that qualify films for the Oscars: Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance, and Toronto.
In its second year, the best film competition features 14 Asian films, 12 of which are world premieres. Four films are directed by debutants, and four are directed by female filmmakers. Besides 'Midday Meal,' the program includes 'Beach Fantasies' by Korean newcomer Lim Hyeon, 'Between Two Lovers' by protégé Hirokazu Kore-eda Nanako Hirose, and 'First Taste of Loneliness' by Chinese director Gu Yu. Works from Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and Taiwan are also part of the program.
Majid Majidi, aged 67, is an Iranian filmmaker and producer. His films often focus on children or adolescents, exploring themes such as childhood innocence, family bonds, poverty, social problems, and solidarity, and are characterized by a humanitarian orientation.
His notable works include 'Children of Paradise' (1997), 'Color of Paradise' (1999), 'Ram' (2001), and 'Song of Sparrows' (2008). 'Children of Paradise' was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Recently, Majidi directed 'Mohammed: Messenger of God' (2015), an epic film about the childhood of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and blessings be upon him).
The Busan International Film Festival is held annually in the Haeundae district, Busan, South Korea, and is one of Asia's most important film festivals. The main goal of BIFF is to present new films and debutants, especially from Asian countries. Another notable feature of the festival is its appeal to youth, both in terms of a large young audience and through efforts to develop and promote young talent. The 31st Busan International Film Festival will run until October 15.