High Falls Film Festival - Iranian Filmmaker/Artist Mania Akbari
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Mania Akbari
Mania Akbari, 30, is a phenomenon, Mania is a Painter, Director, Writer, Editor, Videographer and an Actress. Akbari’s film Twenty fingers (2004) showcases her extreme talent. In December 2004 it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for the Spirit of Freedom, International Film Competition at the Bahamas International Film Festival. Twenty Fingers is nominated for the Amnesty International’s DOEN Award. The film was able to escape censorship because it was edited outside of Iran.Twenty Fingers
Akbari arrived from Teheran after a one day journey to be present for the presentation of her current project, 6 Video Arts, which is being run constantly in Little 1 (Downstairs). Akbari will be discussing her work in a Gallery Talk with Amy Taubin at 1p.m. on Sunday, November 13 at the Curtis Theatre at the George Eastman House. From her website Akbari gives a brief explanation of her “6 Video arts†entitled “Selfâ€, "Repression", “ Sinâ€, “Escapeâ€, “Fear†and “Devastationâ€. They are contained in closed and still frame works within which movement and flow occur. They begin with “Self†and end in “Devastationâ€. Within this collection color, movement form, shape, and rhythm, are accompanied by music and reveal psychological layers which arise from an eastern woman’s unconsciousness. Using contemporary instrument and expressions, she explains what she has received from tradition, beliefs, role models and rituals. This collection draws a path between two points, Panting and Cinema. Twenty Fingers is made in seven segments, each of which revolves around a couple who are engaged in an intimate conversation or a disagreement about some aspect of their relationship. It is a sharp-edged portrait of the battle of the sexes. The film is shot with digital video camera which makes it in some way very intimate and gives the audience a fly on the wall experience of observing the couple who are the center of the film. (January 28, 2005, www.Iranian.com) 
