The melancholic everyday life of a caretaker in a cemetary in South America changes when this elderly man finds the body of a young woman hidden in the morgue by the police, and decides to conduct her funeral. This penetrative blend of magic realism, social satire and Kafkaesque nightmare reminds us that oblivion is not a mere human weakness, but the alibi for the greatest political crimes.
Oblivion Verses
Los Versos del Olvido
58th TIFF: Greek Premiere

Screening Schedule
No physical screenings scheduled. |
- Direction: Alireza Khatami
- Script: Alireza Khatami
- Cinematography: Antoine Héberlé
- Editing: Florent Mangeot
- Sound: Markus Krohn, Tom Korr
- Actors: Juan Margallo, Tomás del Estal, Manuel Morón
- Production: House on Fire
- Producers: Vincent Wang, Fred Bellaïche, Dominique Welinski
- Co-production: Endorphine Production, Lemming Film, Quijote Rampante
- Art Direction: Jorge Zambrano
- Costumes: Nadine Kremeier
- Format: DCP
- Color: Color
- Production Country: France, Germany, The Netherlands, Chile |
- Production Year: 2017
- Duration: 92'
- Contact: UDI - Urban Distribution International
Alireza Khatami
Alireza Khatami is an award-winning Iranian-American filmmaker based in Canada. Born into the indigenous Khamse tribe in Iran, he is influenced by his heritage's rich storytelling traditions. His films poignantly investigate the interconnection of memory, trauma, and power dynamics, often through a philosophical lens and with a dark sense of humor. He has worked with esteemed filmmakers such as Asghar Farhadi. His debut feature, Oblivion Verses, developed at the Cinéfondation Residency of the Festival de Cannes, premiered at the Venice Film Festival, winning three awards, including the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay and the FIPRESCI Prize.
Filmography
2010 Focal Point (short)
2013 Mr. Chang’s New Address (short)
2017 Oblivion Verses
2023 Terrestrial Verses
2013 Mr. Chang’s New Address (short)
2017 Oblivion Verses
2023 Terrestrial Verses