THE DAY I BECAME A WOMAN (Retro)

Marziyeh Meshkini, Iran, 2000, 74 min., feature film, Farsi with English subtitles

Three generations, three stories of Iranian women: Hawa savors her last moments of childhood freedom, a woman defies her male clan in a veiled women’s bike race, and an elderly woman fulfills long-denied dreams.
Marziyeh Meshkiny (director)
Marziyeh Meshkiny was born in 1969 in Tehran. She is the wife of celebrated Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf. She studied Cinema in Makhmalbaf Film school for 8 years. Her first film ‘The Day I Became a Woman”, (a 3-episode story) attended the Critics Week category in Venice International Film Festival in 2000 and won 3 awards from that festival. Marziyeh Meshkini’s second film ‘Stray Dogs’ competed in the best film category at Venice Film Festival in 2003 and received two awards from the festival. Her film has received many international awards across the world. She has worked as assistant director in “The Apple”, “The Blackboards”, “ At Five In The Afternoon” and “Two-Legged Horse” by Samira Makhmalbaf as well as in "Silence", "Sex & Philosophy", "Scream Of The Ants" and "The Door" directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf. Marziyeh Meshkiny is also the scriptwriter of the award winning film “Buddha Collapsed Out Of Shame” by Hana Makhmalbaf , which has won the Chrystal Bear from Berlin Film Festival, Grand Jury Award from San Sebastian.... and has been nominated for the Best Asian Film Award from Hong Kong Film Festival.
THE DAY I BECAME A WOMAN celebrated its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and was subsequently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Chicago International Film Festival, Festival des Trois Continents in Nantes, and Busan International Film Festival. The film received numerous awards, including the CinemAvvenire Award for Best Debut Film in Venice, the Silver Hugo – Best First Film in Chicago, the Discovery Award – Runner Up in Toronto, and the New Currents Award in Busan. At the Festival des Trois Continents, it was also honored with the Special Jury Prize, a Special Mention from the Audience, and a Special Mention from the Young Audience. Other awards include the CICT-UNESCO Award and the FIPRESCI Award at the BFI London Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival.