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Arts & Culture · Course

Ellan Film Club – Season 1

Ellan Group Studio · Markham

Unit 1, 10 Harlech Ct, Markham, ON L3T 6L4

Four remarkable films, four evenings of watching great cinema together and exploring new perspectives. Join the first season of Ellan Film Club for a curated selection of films, each followed by an hour of in-depth discussion and analysis with filmmaker and director Dariush Ghazbani.

Get tickets

From $25 + HST

Classes and dates

  • Registration openGroup class

    Film Club – Season 1

    4 sessions · Fridays · November 20–December 11, 2026

    With Dariush Ghazbani

    All sessions
    1. Session 1

      6:00 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.

    2. Session 2

      6:00 p.m. – 8:42 p.m.

    3. Session 3

      6:00 p.m. – 8:55 p.m.

    4. Session 4

      6:00 p.m. – 8:36 p.m.

    Tickets

    • Run Lola Run (1998) – Tom Tykwer

      Lola has just 20 minutes to find the money that could save her boyfriend's life. But what if one small moment changes everything? A thrilling exploration of time, choices, and fate.

      $25 + HST

    • Requiem for a Dream (2000) – Darren Aronofsky

      Four people chase their dreams of a better life, only to find themselves trapped by addiction and dependency. A haunting psychological drama about hopes that slowly turn into nightmares.

      $25 + HST

    • Jacob's Ladder (1990) – Adrian Lyne

      A Vietnam War veteran is haunted by disturbing memories and terrifying visions that blur the line between reality and illusion. A gripping psychological thriller exploring fear, memory, and the search for truth.

      $25 + HST

    • Baraka (1992) – Ron Fricke

      A breathtaking visual journey across the world, from untouched landscapes and ancient rituals to the rhythms of modern cities. Without a single word of dialogue, Baraka explores humanity, nature, and spirituality through extraordinary imagery and music.

      $25 + HST

    • Full Season Pass – All 4 Films

      Enjoy all four Ellan Film Club screenings, each followed by a one-hour film discussion and analysis with filmmaker Dariush Ghazbani.

      $80 + HST

About the workshop

Ellan Film Club | Season 1

Cinema is more than watching a film. Sometimes a story, an image, or a single scene can spark hours of thought and conversation.

Ellan Film Club brings film lovers together to watch influential works of world cinema, explore different perspectives, and discuss the storytelling, characters, direction, visual language, and underlying themes of each film.

For our first season, we've selected four distinctive films, each offering a different cinematic experience. Every session begins with a full screening, followed by a one-hour discussion and analysis led by filmmaker and director Dariush Ghazbani, with opportunities for participants to share their own perspectives.

Screening Schedule

Session 1 | Friday, November 20, 2026
Run Lola Run (1998)
Director: Tom Tykwer
A fast-paced exploration of time, choices, and how small moments can change the course of a life.

Session 2 | Friday, November 27, 2026
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Director: Darren Aronofsky
A powerful psychological drama about dreams, dependency, and the devastating consequences of addiction.

Session 3 | Friday, December 4, 2026
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
Director: Adrian Lyne
A haunting psychological journey through memory, trauma, and the blurred boundaries between reality and illusion.

Session 4 | Friday, December 11, 2026
Baraka (1992)
Director: Ron Fricke
A visually extraordinary, dialogue-free documentary exploring humanity, nature, culture, and spirituality.

How It Works

All screenings begin at 6:00 PM. Each film is followed by a one-hour guided discussion and analysis.

Participants may register for individual screenings, select multiple sessions, or purchase admission to all four screenings.

Event Language: Persian (Farsi)

Whether you're a dedicated film enthusiast or simply enjoy discovering cinema from new perspectives, Ellan Film Club offers a space to watch, reflect, exchange ideas, and experience great films together.

Meet your instructor

  • Dariush Ghazbani

    Dariush Ghazbani

    Filmmaker, Director & Film Club Host

    Film Directing, Filmmaking, Screenwriting, Acting, Film Analysis

    Born in Abadan, Iran, Dariush Ghazbani is a filmmaker and director who graduated in Film Directing from Soore University.

    His filmmaking portfolio includes 16 short films and three feature films: Men of the Sun, Khomari, and Shareh Jan.

    He has also worked as an actor in six short films and the feature film Those Three (An Seh).

    As a screenwriter, his work includes three feature-length screenplays: Nakhoda Moheb, Baran-e Sorb, and Pir-e Khalij-e Fars.

    At Ellan Film Club, Ghazbani hosts the post-screening discussions, guiding participants through film analysis and conversations about each selected work.

What you'll learn

Ellan Film Club is designed to help participants look beyond the screen, explore cinematic storytelling, and engage in meaningful conversations about film.

Across four sessions, guided by filmmaker Dariush Ghazbani, participants will explore:

  • Different approaches to storytelling and how narrative structure shapes the viewing experience

  • The role of character development, directing, cinematography, editing, and music in filmmaking

  • Themes, symbolism, and deeper layers of meaning within films

  • Different filmmaking styles and creative perspectives through four selected works

  • How to develop a more analytical approach to watching and discussing cinema

  • How to exchange interpretations and engage in thoughtful group discussions

Who it is for

Ellan Film Club welcomes everyone who enjoys cinema, from casual movie lovers to those interested in exploring films on a deeper level.

If you enjoy discovering distinctive films, analyzing stories and characters, exploring different filmmaking styles, and exchanging perspectives with others, this program is for you.

No formal film education or previous experience in film criticism is required. All you need is an interest in cinema and a willingness to participate in thoughtful conversations.

All sessions are conducted in Persian (Farsi).

Important information

Before you come

No prior film knowledge, preparation, or advance viewing of the selected films is required.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow for check-in and seating. Film screenings begin promptly at 6:00 PM.

All screenings and post-film discussions are conducted in Persian (Farsi).

What to bring

You don't need to bring any special equipment or materials to attend Ellan Film Club.

If you wish, you can bring a notebook and pen to take notes during the film and the post-screening discussion.

Included in the fee

Each ticket includes:

  • A full screening of the selected film at Ellan Group Studio

  • A one-hour post-screening discussion and film analysis with Dariush Ghazbani

  • The opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and participate in group discussions

Single-session ticket: CAD $25 + 13% HST.

Four-session ticket: CAD $100 + 13% HST.

Tickets for two or three sessions may also be purchased, with each session priced at the regular single-session rate.

Attendance

  • Venue: Ellan Group Studio, Unit 1, 10 Harlech Ct, Markham, ON L3T 6L4

  • Start Time: All screenings begin promptly at 6:00 PM.

  • Check-in: Please arrive at least 15 minutes early, by 5:45 PM.

  • Language: Film screenings and post-screening discussions are conducted in Persian (Farsi).

  • Accessibility: The venue does not have an elevator. Access to the event space is by stairs only.

  • Admission: Please have your ticket or booking confirmation available upon arrival.

  • Courtesy: Please silence your mobile phone during the film screening to avoid disturbing other attendees.

Terms and support

Registration terms

  • Registration for Ellan Film Club is completed through ticket purchase and confirmed upon successful payment.

  • Single-session tickets are CAD $25, while admission to all four sessions is CAD $100.

  • All prices are subject to 13% HST.

  • Participants may purchase admission to one, two, three, or all four sessions. Two- and three-session purchases are calculated at the regular single-session rate.

  • Each ticket is valid only for the session or sessions selected at the time of booking.

  • Registration is subject to available seating.

  • All sessions begin promptly at 6:00 PM on their scheduled dates. Please arrive before the screening starts.

  • All sessions are conducted in Persian (Farsi).

  • Cancellations and refund requests are subject to the refund policy presented during ticket purchase.

  • If a screening is rescheduled or cancelled by the organizer, registered attendees will be notified using the contact information provided during registration.

Questions about registration

Have questions about Ellan Film Club, screening schedules, ticket options, or attending the event? We're happy to help.

For more information or assistance with registration and ticket purchases, please contact us at:

info@parsianmedia.ca

The Ellan Group team is here to assist you.

Ticket terms, refunds and privacy

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