When Pomegranates Howl Explained

When Pomegranates Howl
Director:Granaz Moussavi
Screenplay:Granaz Moussavi
Producer:Baheer Wardak
Granaz Moussavi
Christine Williams
Marzieh Vafamehr
Cinematography:Behrouz Badrouj
Music:Hossein Alizadeh
Studio:Bonsai Films[1]
Runtime:80 minutes
Country:Afghanistan
Australia
Language:Pashto
Persian

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]

Plot

Based 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

Production and filming

Granaz 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

!Year!Award!Category!Nominee / work!Result!Ref
2021Asia Pacific Screen AwardsBest Youth Feature Film[7] [8]

See also

Notes and References

  1. When Pomegranates Howl. Bonsai Films. 16 October 2021.
  2. Web site: Film Review: When Pomegranates Howl is stunning. Akbar. Trevis. 22 October 2020. 16 October 2021.
  3. Web site: When Pomegranates Howl. Adelaide Film Festival. 16 October 2021.
  4. Web site: Oscars Race: Australia Selects Afghanistan Coproduction 'When Pomegranates Howl' . Variety . 24 October 2021.
  5. Web site: Karvelas. Patricia. When Pomegranates Howl. Australian Broadcasting Company. 16 October 2021.
  6. Web site: Granaz Moussavi on When Pomegranates Howl. Jøhnk Christensen. Tina. Golden Globe Awards. 13 September 2021. 16 October 2021.
  7. Web site: 16 October 2021 . Nominations for Leah Purcell, Essie Davis, Caleb Landry Jones, When Pomegranates Howl – 14th Asia Pacific Screen Awards . FilmInk.
  8. Australian Nominations – 14TH Asia Pacific Screen Awards . . 13 October 2021 . 16 October 2021.