A Film By Ukrainian Producer Awarded At The 66th Venice IFF

“Women Without Men” (Zanan Bedone Mardan) by famous Iran artist Shirin Neshat won the Silver Lion at the 66th Venice Film Festival that ran from 2nd to 12th September 2009 at Venice Lido. Austria, France, Germany and Ukraine took an active part in the film production. Ukraine was presented by producer Oleg Kohan (SOTA Cinema Group).
“Women Without Men” is Neshat’s first feature film. The plot follows the fate of four women at the time of the US and British-backed coup. ‘The film is about women’s lack of freedom and growing political involvement in 1953 Iran, but the story had also strong parallels with the situation today’ the director said.

Silver Lions are an irregular award presented in some years as a “runners-up” prize to the Golden Lion. In addition, other Silver Lions are sometimes awarded for debut films, short films and direction.

The Golden Lion was given to the film “Lebanon” by Israeli director Samuel Maoz.