A Separation (2011)

A Separation – Asghar Farhadi

Jodaeiye Nader az Simin (original title)

Summary:  Simin (Leila Hatami) wants to build another life abroad with her family, but her husband Nader (Perman Moaadi) refuses.  Whereas Simin believes a different country will provide their daughter with better opportunities, Nadar insists on staying in Tehran to take care of his father who suffers with Alzheimers.  A judge denies Simin a divorce she desperately seeks from Nader, so she decides to leave and move back in with her parents.  Her absence leads to Nader hiring a woman to care for her father whilst he goes to work, but this only results in further trouble that force and pull the family further apart.

My Review:  Another terrific window into real life Tehran.  The twists of the plot and layers of tension not only tells a story but also throws up deeper moral dilemmas the country is embedded with.  The moral questions this film brings together is fascinating in its complexity as it doesn’t let you side with just one argument, because of this the talent lies within both the acting and the screenwriting making it a joy to watch in this sense, yet difficult in another as you’re compelled to sympathise with the struggles a number of characters face.  Characters of which who become connected in a web of events they find near impossible to unstick themselves from, being very reminiscent of early Alejandro González Ińarritu but perhaps with less grit. Iranian cinema continues to impress me (Persepolis and The Hunter), A Separation is definitely a contender.

My Rating: 4/5

Know of any gripping Iranian films I’ve not yet reviewed?  Comment below your recommendations!

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The Hunter (2010)

The Hunter – Rafi Pitts

Summary:  Ali Alavi (Rafi Pitts) is refused his request to change his working hours since serving time in jail.  In a repressed Tehran ran by a strict regime, all he yearns for is to spend more time with his girlfriend and their daughter.  So he compromises and drives his daughter to school right after his night shift, which becomes one of the only, precious times he gets to see her.  One day his girlfriend and daughter do not return home and he discovers, after many frustrating hours waiting at a police station, they may have been killed through crossfire, between the police and insurgents.

My Review:  No doubt a moody watch not recommended for everyone.  For me at least the sense of mood and emotion was masterly crafted in sequences showing such little words, continuing to build and burn.  I struggle with his ‘act of vengeance’ – if you can actually call it that, I thought it was more a result of being desparately lost and depraved, not only from his painful situation, but everything that’s lead to it, like; his job, his regret, frustration and the backdrop of Iran’s current climate.  Not one to sit and watch with friends, but yet another slice of real stunning, but sobering Iranian cinema.

My Rating: 2/5

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Persepolis (2007)

Persepolis – Vincent Paronnaud & Marjane Satrapi

Summary: A young girl growing up in Tehran begins to learn of her country’s politics as Iran’s uprising against its Shah topples him from power.  Marjane’s uncle, having once been imprisoned for rebelling against the government, is released and is hugely impressionable as she comes of age, against the backdrop of the Islamic revolution.  Refusing to be repressed by the new regime she actively rejects it, celebrating punk rock and wearing denim with her now forcibly-worn head scarf.  But, she soon realises even these simple freedoms are wiped from under her feet and what was once her home quickly becomes a place to fear.

My Review:  All geared up for a powerful subtitled Iranian film, I was surprised to hear the familiar voices of Sean Penn and Iggy Pop.  I later found out this was only for the English release however, and discovering more about Iran, its culture and history, were still definitely on the menu.  Adapted from an autographical graphic novel, it’s not as hard-hitting as what I was expecting, I can’t tell if this is because the sometimes comical animation softens the blow, but the story told definitely deserves wider attention in the west than what it’s so far received.  A thought-provoking watch, shining light to a side in the middle-east not always understood.

My Rating: 3/5

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