Majid Majidi to Head Jury of Bosphorus Film Festival in Istanbul
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Tehran Times
www.tehrantimes.com

Majid Majidi to Head Jury of Bosphorus Film Festival in Istanbul

Renowned Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi has been selected as the head of the international jury for the XIV Bosphorus Film Festival, which will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, from November 8 to 15. According to ISNA, the jury members will evaluate films participating in the international feature film competition vying for the 'Golden Dolphin' award.

The jury also includes Christophe Leparc, director of 'Quinzaine des Cinéastes' at the Cannes Film Festival; director and producer Isabelle Fernandez; Justin Bard, programmer and producer of the Seattle International Film Festival; and Attila Klinche, who has over forty years of experience in theater, cinema, television, and academia.

Furthermore, Majidi will conduct a masterclass for film enthusiasts on November 9. During this session titled 'The Art of Storytelling: On Cinema with Majid Majidi,' he will share his approach to narrative, the formation of a unique cinematic language, and the subtleties of his directorial practice.

This meeting will allow for an in-depth study of Majidi's creative world, whose works speak about everyday human struggles, hope, and solidarity through a simple yet powerful language. Last month, Majidi received the 'Best Film' award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) for his recent film 'Lunch in the Midday.'

Majidi's films often focus on children or adolescents, exploring themes such as childhood innocence, family bonds, poverty, social issues, and solidarity, and are characterized by a humanistic worldview. Among his notable works are 'Children of Paradise' (1997), 'Color of Paradise' (1999), 'Ram' (2001), and 'Song of Sparrows' (2008). The film 'Children of Paradise' was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

'Children of Paradise' made it into the top five nominees for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards ceremony in 1998, making him the first Iranian filmmaker to receive an Oscar nomination. Majidi also holds the record for the most 'Simorgh Crystal' awards for Best Director at the Fadr International Film Festival, having won four such awards.

According to available information, eight feature and short films by Iranian filmmakers will also be screened at this edition of the Bosphorus Film Festival. Among the Iranian films scheduled for screening are 'Sunny Children,' directed by Majid Majidi; 'Orange Forest' by Arman Hansarian; 'In the Embrace of the Tree' by Babak Hajepashi; and 'Wolf Fur' by Fereydoun Najafi, all of which will be part of the special screenings section.

The documentary '32 Meters' by Morteza Atabaki, co-produced by Turkey, Iran, and Qatar, will participate in the National Turkish Documentary Competition. Three short films will also be shown: 'Solo' by Amirhossein Ajali; 'Lost and Found' by Reza Rasouli, produced in Austria; and 'Shell' by Hamed Soleymanzadeh and Hakan Unal.

The Bosphorus Film Festival, organized by the Bosphorus Culture and Arts Foundation (BKSV), aims to promote the development of ethical, aesthetic, and technical aspects of cinema, as well as to finance and motivate young producers and directors to create new films, thereby promoting national cinema both domestically and internationally.

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If your television's audio is not satisfactory, it is time to solve this problem definitively. Three soundbar options available on Amazon have been selected to enhance the experience of watching movies, series, and games at home, offering sound quality suitable for any screen size.

One of the presented options is the Soundbar Home Theater 60W RMS with Cinema Effect and HDMI ARC Input. This model has 60W RMS of power, providing robust and well-distributed sound, in addition to a cinematic effect that intensifies audiovisual immersion. Its compatibility is guaranteed by inputs such as HDMI ARC, optical, P2, and Line In, and Bluetooth connectivity allows wireless music playback directly from the cell phone.

Another alternative is the Sound Bar for TV with Tower Audio System and Bluetooth. This bar combines a contemporary design with a tower-shaped audio system, which elevates both the volume and the clarity of the sound. It connects to the TV and other devices via Bluetooth, making it suitable for those looking for a complete home theater solution without sacrificing ease of use.

Finally, there is the Wall Soundbar BS-41 with Remote Control and Bluetooth 5.0. Developed specifically to be mounted on the wall, it is perfect for those who want an organized and discreet installation. The device includes a remote control for remote operation and features Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring a more stable connection with lower latency, making it a practical choice for those who prioritize sound quality without cluttering the environment.

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Chinese film entirely made with AI earns little, but generates investor interest
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Chinese film entirely made with AI earns little, but generates investor interest

Artificial intelligence (AI) still needs to prove its ability to attract cinematic audiences. In the Chinese context, the first major attempt to create a complete film using this technology did not achieve the expected success. The title Sanxingdui: Future Past earned only 1.7 million yuan (equivalent to about R$ 1.3 million) at the box office, despite having a cost of tens of millions of yuan.

The production was screened in Beijing, China, and gained attention for incorporating AI into almost all its visual aspects. The technology was also used in sound effects, although the editing was done by human professionals. However, its commercial performance fell considerably short of projections.

The Guardian reported watching the feature in an almost empty cinema hall in the Chinese capital. Furthermore, critical reception was not enthusiastic. The plot is set in a futuristic society where all decisions have been delegated to algorithms and AI systems, resulting in a global catastrophe. To reverse the disaster, the characters must decipher a secret code linked to the Sanxingdui bronze sculptures, which are connected to the ancient Shu kingdom.

The narrative blends elements of astronauts, Ancient Egypt, and travel through space-time vortices. The dialogues also demonstrate the use of an internal scriptwriting tool called Bowen, developed by the producer itself.

However, the failure of this film does not imply that the Chinese audience completely rejects AI-generated content. The country already has a robust industry of AI-created microdramas. These are short productions, typically lasting one to three minutes, made to be consumed on mobile devices.

According to The Guardian, tens of thousands of these contents are distributed monthly on streaming platforms. This industry, which was almost non-existent a few years ago, currently moves approximately US$ 3 billion (about R$ 16.5 billion).

One possible reason for the poor performance of Sanxingdui: Future Past lies in the competition with this microdrama format. While the ticket for the feature cost 50 yuan (approximately R$ 37), similar content could be accessed for free on mobile phones. A cinema specialist blogger synthesized the distinction: AI microdramas serve as entertainment, whereas cinema films need to offer an experience that justifies the viewer's investment.

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Selection of portable Bluetooth speakers on sale on Amazon
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Selection of portable Bluetooth speakers on sale on Amazon

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Portable Speaker GO 5W

The GO 5W model is characterized by being compact and versatile, providing clear and powerful sound in an easy-to-carry format. It has Bluetooth connectivity, USB input, memory card support, and a P2 cable, in addition to being waterproof, making it suitable for use in the pool or on the beach. The controls are located directly on the speaker, simplifying operation without depending on the cell phone.

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