Giornate degli Autori / Venice Days will host the World Premiere of Jafar Panahi’s latest work, The Accordion, produced by ART for The World as part of the new film project “THEN AND NOW, Beyond Borders and Differences” based on article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everybody has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”. 
The Accordion - a short shot in Teheran by the Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, the author of Dayereh / The Circle - will be screened on September 1st, on the Opening Day of Giornate degli Autori-Venice Days, during the upcoming 67th edition of the Venice Film Festival.

“I am a social-minded filmmaker – stated Panahi - and I am sensitive to every new phenomenon which occurs in my society. Of course I react to it and, perhaps, The Accordion represents my reaction to the events surrounding me, and my way of observing reality.”
The story is about two young street musicians whose accordion is taken away from them, due to an accident. This brief and forceful tale portrays the Iranian director’s entire artistic world, and is a metaphor for the new generations who, led by understanding, prefer solidarity over conflicts.

Jafar Panahi has been invited to open the Giornate degli Autori at the Venice Festival with the World Premiere of his The Accordion, at Venice Lido’s Palazzo del Cinema. On the following day, September 2nd, a special panel with Jafar Panahi and his friend, the Iranian actor and filmmaker Mazdak Taebi (living and working in Toronto) shall take place on the topics treated in his work, with the participation of international media, as well as a Masterclass with young cinephiles from all EU countries.
“I strongly hope that Panahi will be able to join us in Venice – said Giorgio Gosetti, the General Delegate of Giornate degli Autori – in order to be deservedly acclaimed by those who love cinema at its best, exactly 10 years after he was awarded the Golden Lion for his Dayereh”.