Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Persian Lessons” showing June 23-29 at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres.
Set in occupied France in 1942, “Persian Lessons” follows Gilles (Nahuel Peìrez Biscayart), a Belgian Jew, who narrowly avoids sudden execution by swearing to the guards that he’s Persian, not Jewish.
While the lie temporarily saves him, Gilles is then assigned the extraordinary task of teaching Farsi, a language he doesn’t know, to Koch (Lars Eidinger), the officer in charge of the camp’s kitchen who dreams of opening a restaurant in Iran once the war is over.
The particular relationship between the two men sparks the jealousy of other prisoners and SS guards towards Gilles. And while the suspicions of Koch grow every day, Gilles understands that he will not be able to keep his secret very long.
Through an inspired and clever deception, Giles not only manages to survive, but also devises an astonishing strategy to remember the names of his condemned brethren.
“Powerful, absorbing, and captivating. “A must see!” — Haute Lifestyle
“A big, widescreen cinematic ride which deftly mixes suspense, laughter and tears.” — Screen Daily
“Superbly acted…It floored me in the devastating final moments.” — The Guardian
“Persian Lessons” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres June 23-29. Showtimes will be Friday and Monday, June 23 and 26 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday and Tuesday, June 24 and 27 at 3:30 p.m.; and Wednesday and Thursday, June 28 and 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.