Trailers
***1/2 of ****
Rated: call it PG
Length: 91 minutes
Origin: Iran & Italy, very banned in Iran
Writer: Kambuzia Partovi
Director: Jafar Panahi
Cast:
Maryiam Palvin Almani: Arezou
Nargess Mamizadeh: Nargess
Fereshteh Sadr Orfani: Pari
Monir Arab: Ticket Seller
Elham Saboktakin: Nurse
Fatemeh Naghavi: Mother
Mojgan Faramarzi: Prostitute
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Synopsis:
This is a narrative story that shifts from one woman to the next during one day with a delicate relay as the difficulties of life in Tehran for women are expressed. Different "crimes" are committed only because they are women and by definition not legally allowed to perform what are basic daily tasks to most people.
Review:
The film starts subtle yet strong with a scene of a child birth that is heard but not seen. A movie about the plight of women could hardly not start with the ultimate chick thing. Here the mother makes the ghastly error of giving birth to a girl. The movement begins as the director takes us on a well paced journey of one woman after another trying to survive under the heel of an islamic theocracy. The pace gets slow at times, but that aids in the needed abruptness at other times. The paranoia is constant even though there are more relaxed and secure moments for most of the characters. The frenetic pace of the streets and bizarre gives way to an emptier night with a darker despair. The "crimes" they commit are diverse and ultimately caused by the conditions the rulers created. The acting is quite good all around. The cinematography gives a good sense of place with consistently rich scenes. The subtle ending is powerful with an appropriate lead into the credits that had the audience walking out very heavy hearted. The title, "The Circle," has a duel meaning in this story. See this if you ever get the chance.
This semester's Iranian film weekend also screened The Day I Became a Woman. (2000) ** A three part story about being a woman in Iran told at three different points in life.
Last spring semester's Iranian film weekend screened two very good films worth seeing that have linked reviews:
A Time for Drunken Horses (2000 Iran) ***1/2 Much of the filming needs no staging because the director intended to capture real life; as harsh as it is.
The Wind Will Carry Us (1999 Iran) ***1/2 The initial plan to stay in the village for a few days is drawn out into several weeks, then the local ways are experienced... slowly. Slow is the key word for this lusciously filmed work.