The Sommets du cinéma d'animation are pleased to announce the opening film of their 22nd edition, to be held May 6-11 at the Cinémathèque québécoise. French-Iranian director Sepideh Farsi's THE SIREN, selected for the 2023 Berlinale, will launch the festivities on Monday, May 6. The filmmaker will be present for the event.

An animated film with documentary touches, THE SIREN depicts the life of the Iranian population during the siege of Abadan, a terrible chapter in the war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s.

1980, Abadan. The capital of the Iranian oil industry is resisting an Iraqi siege. Fourteen-year-old Omid has braved the siege and stayed in the city with his grandfather, waiting for his elder brother to return from the front line. Along with Omid, a gallery of unusual characters have all remained in the city for their own reasons, and each resists in his or her own way. But the noose is tightening as Omid tries to save his loved ones, by embarking them on an abandoned boat he finds in Abadan’s port, that will become his ark.

"The Siren is graphically stunning. This is obvious from the very first images. What follows is a captivating, spirited film that takes us through a defining moment in the Iran-Iraq conflict, while depicting the destinies of extraordinary characters," emphasizes Marco du Blois, Artistic Director of the festival.

THE SIREN is the first animated feature by Sepideh Farsi, who has directed a dozen documentaries, shorts and feature films.

The movie will be presented in its original version with French subtitles.
A second screening of THE SIREN is scheduled for May 7, so that everyone can see this magnificent film!

The 22nd Sommets du cinéma d'animation will take place from May 6 to 11, 2024.
The festival is produced by the Cinémathèque québécoise.