Exploring the Daily Life and Power of "Poetry" in Iranian Society: Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Hosts Screening of "Poet of the Wastes"

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Fuchu City, Tokyo; President: Nobuo Haruna) will hold a screening of the Iranian film "Shāʻer-e zobāle-ha" (Poet of the Wastes) at TUFS Cinema on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

This film, scripted by the internationally renowned Mohsen Makhmalbaf, has received high global acclaim, including the Best Picture award at the 2006 Tajikistan International Film Festival. It depicts the fleeting romance and hopes of a young man working as a cleaner in recession-hit Tehran who dreams of becoming a poet, contrasted with the sense of stagnation in Iranian society and the harsh realities of people's lives.

Following the screening, a talk session will feature three up-and-coming researchers specializing in Persian literature and Islamic studies. They will delve into the film's depths, discussing the background of production under censorship and the role of "poetry" in Iranian society.

1. Event Overview Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026, 14:00 screening (Doors open at 13:40, scheduled to end at 16:30) Venue: Agora Global Prometheus Hall, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (3-11-1 Asahicho, Fuchu City, Tokyo; 5-minute walk from Tama Station on the Seibu Tamagawa Line) Contents: - Main screening: "Poet of the Wastes" (77 minutes) - Post-screening commentary/talk: Miki Kinoshita (Specific Assistant Professor, Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University) - Planning/Commentary: Konomi Murayama (Junior Fellow, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, TUFS) - Moderator: Emi Goto (Associate Professor, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, TUFS / Islamic Gender Studies) Admission: Free Advance registration recommended (priority given to pre-registered attendees if capacity is exceeded) Detailed information: https://www.tufs.ac.jp/event/2026/260704_c01.html

2. About the Film Title: "Poet of the Wastes" (2005 / Iran / 77 min / Persian / English & Japanese subtitles / Original title: Shāʻer-e zobāle-ha) Story: Follows the protagonist, who became a cleaner while aiming to be a poet, as he falls in love with a woman during his daily garbage collection and continues to send her anonymous letters. His innocence and hope as he lives straightforwardly, albeit clumsily, give courage to the viewers. Features: Produced under censorship in Iran, it frequently uses ambiguous and poetic expressions, reflecting the close relationship between Iranian society and "poetry".

[Inquiries regarding TUFS Cinema] Public Relations and Social Cooperation Division, General Affairs and Planning Department, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies TEL: 042-330-5441 (Weekdays 9:00-17:00 *excluding 12:00-13:00) Email: tufscinema@tufs.ac.jp

About Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Tokyo University of Foreign Studies is Japan's hub for research and education on the world's languages and their underlying cultures and societies. It aims to cultivate human resources equipped with advanced language skills and a deep respect for multiple cultures, while widely disseminating the results of academic research to society to contribute to the realization of a multicultural symbiotic society.