Smell of Camphor, Scent of Jasmine
1999
Bahman Farjami, an old film director has returned to Iran after many years
ACT I: One Bad Day
Bahman Farjami, an old film director has returned to Iran after many years. On the fifth death anniversary of his wife he encounters bizarre occurrences. From a dead baby left in his car to the disappearance of his best friend and the occupation of a grave that he has bought for himself in advance.
ACT II: Funeral
While Bahman’s heart disease has become more severe but he is busy on pre-production of a documentary film about burial ceremonies in Iran. He visits his old retired or barred-from-working friends and asks them to join him in the making of this film. The news of the death of his close friend, however, causes him a massive heart attack that for minutes takes Bahman Farjami to afterlife. After regaining consciousness, he has no desire to make films anymore.
ACT III: Throw a Stone in the Water
Nightmares of death have engulfed Bahman. He sees his own death and mourning ceremony in wakefulness and despises everything about the funeral. Nightmares one after another become intertwined so nothing remains as it should but the phone rings and Nima, his son gives him news of the birth of his granddaughter which feels like soothing water on the fire of nightmares.
Cast & Crew
Screenplay Writer
bahman farmanara
Director
bahman farmanara
producers
morteza shayeste
fazlolah yousefpoor
cast
bahman farmanare
ebrahim abadi
darioush asadzadeh
firooz behjat mohamadi
vali shir andami
hoseyn kasbian
reza kianian
mahtaj njoomi
parivash nazarieh
roya nonahali
lorik minasian
Cinematography
Mahmoud Kalari
edit
abbas ganjavi
music
ahmad pejman
Details
Language
Persian
time duration
92 min
Filming Locations
Tehran,Shiraz,Isfahan
awards
18th Fajr International Film Festival
Crystal Phoenix for Best Screenplay, International Category
Crystal Phoenix for Best Director
Crystal Phoenix for Best Film
Crystal Phoenix for Best Supporting Actress (Roya Nonahali)
Crystal Phoenix for Best Film Score (Ahmad Pejman)
Crystal Phoenix for Best Make-Up Artist (Mehrdad Shekarabi)
Crystal Phoenix for Best Cinematography (Mahmoud Kalari)
Crystal Phoenix for Best Set Designer (Jila Mehrjui)
Fajr Film Festival Nominations
Candidate for Best Screenplay (Bahman Farmanara)
Candidate for Best Sound (Parviz Abnar)
Khaneh Cinema Awards
Golden Statue for Best Supporting Actress (Roya Nonahali)
Golden Statue for Best Film Score (Ahmad Pejman)
2nd Abadan Social Film Festival
Festival’s Selected Screenplay (Bahman Farmanara)
11th Iranian Film Festival – Chicago Film Center
Audience Award for Best Film (Morteza Shayesteh)
51st Berlin Film Festival
NETPAC Award for Best Film (Morteza Shayesteh)
20th Istanbul Film Festival
FIPRESCI Award for Best Film (Morteza Shayesteh)