Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Ali Asgari is returning to the Lido, with his new feature film “Kami Nour” (“A Bit of Light”) officially selected to compete for the prestigious Golden Lion at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The 87-minute drama will make its world premiere during the festival.
“Kami Nour“
Co-produced across Iran, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, and Türkiye, “Kami Nour” explores themes of despair, human connection, and personal resilience under intense societal pressures. The film’s narrative centers on an Iranian doctor who loses all faith in his future after being arrested and stripped of his medical license. Driven to total despair, he resolves to end his life. However, as he spends one final day surrounding himself with his family, the quiet intimacy and unexpected moments shared among his loved ones begin to unnerve and challenge his tragic decision.
The film features a central performance by Misagh Zareh as the troubled physician, alongside an ensemble cast that includes Sadaf Asgari, Forouzan Jamshidnejad, Ramtin Daghigh, and Mina Rahimzadeh.
For Asgari, “Kami nour” marks a significant return to Venice. The director previously made his feature directorial debut on the Lido in 2017 with the world premiere of “Disappearance” in the Orizzonti section. Known for his sharp, socially conscious storytelling, Asgari gained widespread international attention with his 2022 Berlinale entry “Until Tomorrow” and his acclaimed 2023 Cannes satire “Terrestrial Verses” (co-directed with Alireza Khatami). Following the premiere of “Terrestrial Verses”, Asgari faced temporary travel bans and bureaucratic hurdles from Iranian authorities, making his return with “Kami nour” an especially poignant milestone in his career.
At the 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival, “Kami nour” will compete in the main competition against a high-profile lineup of international auteur cinema. Other notable titles competing for the Golden Lion include Werner Herzog’s “Bucking Fastard”, Florian Zeller’s “Bunker”, Casey Affleck’s “Company”, Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s “DAU”, and Danny Boyle’s “Ink”.
From Tehran to Venice
Born in Tehran, Iran, Asgari turned 43 on July 25, 2026. The 83rd Venice Film Festival runs from September 2-12, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Though contrasting sharply in landscape—Tehran sprawling at the foot of Iran’s Alborz Mountains and Venice floating along Italy’s Adriatic lagoon are two historic hubs that share an enduring cultural dialogue anchored by art and trade.
Centuries ago, the Venetian Republic and Persia forged diplomatic and commercial ties through Silk Road commerce. In the modern era, that relationship evolved into a prominent artistic bridge. In 1958, the inaugural Tehran Biennale was established in part to select pioneering Iranian modernist artists to represent the country on the global stage at the Venice Biennale. Today, institutions like the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art continue to support international dialogue, connecting Iran’s vibrant contemporary art scene with Venice’s world-renowned exhibition spaces.
Architecturally, both cities reflect distinct historical legacies shaped by their topographies. Tehran showcases Qajar-era treasures like the mirrored Golestan Palace alongside striking modern landmarks, while Venice is defined by its stone-paved alleys and Gothic palazzi on the water. Despite their geographical differences, Tehran and Venice remain vital capitals of creative expression, proving that artistic exchange easily bridges the distance between the mountains of Persia and the waters of the Adriatic.
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