When Pomegranates Howl is a 2020 Afghan-Australian drama film written and directed by Iranian-born Australian filmmaker Granaz Moussavi. The film was partly funded through Adelaide Film Festival, which became its premiere place.[2][3] It was selected as the Australian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.[4]
| When Pomegranates Howl | |
|---|---|
 Festival showcase poster | |
| Directed by | Granaz Moussavi |
| Screenplay by | Granaz Moussavi |
| Produced by | Baheer Wardak Granaz Moussavi Christine Williams Marzieh Vafamehr |
| Cinematography | Behrouz Badrouj |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Hossein Alizadeh |
Production company | Bonsai Films[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Countries | Afghanistan Australia |
| Languages | Pashto Persian |
Plot
editBased on real events, the film tells the story of Hewad, a nine-year-old boy who lives on the streets in the capital of Afghanistan - Kabul. Following the loss of both his father and brother, Hewad decides to create a business by working as a cart pusher, which he enjoys doing every day. By working as such, and loading the carts with goods, he travels throughout Kabul in the hope to raise enough money for his family. Hewad's dream of becoming a movie star comes to life when he stumbles on an Australian photographer.
Cast
edit- Arafat Faiz
- Elham Ayazi
- Andrew Quilty
Production and filming
editGranaz Moussavi started filming When Pomegranates Howl in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2017 after reading Australian headlines of an attack by the Australian armed forces in which two boys - 11 and 12-year-olds were killed. This sad news, prompted the director to write a script about a (back then) nine-year-old boy named Hewad.[5][6]
Accolades
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee / work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Asia Pacific Screen Awards | Best Youth Feature Film | — | Nominated | [7][8] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "When Pomegranates Howl" (Press release). Bonsai Films. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ Akbar, Trevis (22 October 2020). "Film Review: When Pomegranates Howl is stunning". Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "When Pomegranates Howl". Adelaide Film Festival. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Oscars Race: Australia Selects Afghanistan Coproduction 'When Pomegranates Howl'". Variety. 24 October 2021.
- ^ Karvelas, Patricia. "When Pomegranates Howl". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ Jøhnk Christensen, Tina (13 September 2021). "Granaz Moussavi on When Pomegranates Howl". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Nominations for Leah Purcell, Essie Davis, Caleb Landry Jones, When Pomegranates Howl – 14th Asia Pacific Screen Awards". FilmInk. 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Australian Nominations – 14TH Asia Pacific Screen Awards" (Press release). Asia Pacific Screen Awards. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.