Iran – Let's Talk About Movies

The Salesman [2016] ★★★½

April 1, 2017

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s “The Salesman” deservedly won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language movie. When I saw it last night, I had to stay in my seat for several minutes afterwards to take it all in. This is a rollercoaster of emotions that builds slowly and deliberately, leading up to an unforgettable climax. Part of Farhadi’s success is his ability to craft everyday people that we can easily relate to. There are no heroes in his movies: just normal individuals trying their best to survive in a difficult environment. The focus here is on Emad and Rana, a young married couple who are looking for a new place to live. We learn that their old building apartment was about to collapse, so they had to move elsewhere. One night, Rana is attacked in her shower, which leads to a series of unpredictable events. Matters of conscience and ethics come into play, and Farhadi stages every situation as if his life depended on it. I can’t talk more about the story without revealing key plot points. But I’ll say that even though the events take place in Iran, there’s nothing that couldn’t happen anywhere else in the world. That’s why Farhadi’s movies are relatable and so significant. “The Salesman” offers an unforgettable moviegoing experience. I can’t recommend it enough.

The Past [2013] ★★★½

February 8, 2014

Writer/Director Asghar Farhadi made a strong impression with his Oscar winning feature “A Separation” a couple of years ago. His latest movie, “The Past”, isn’t an Oscar contender this year but that’s no reason for you to skip it. Much like his previous film, “The Past” dramatizes a credible situation and holds you in its grip for two hours, without letup. There are no heroes or villains in his story: just real people with real problems. The story begins when an Iranian man (Ali Mosaffa) comes to Paris at the request of his ex-wife (Bérénice Bejo) to complete their divorce settlement. Once there, he finds himself in the midst of an emotional crisis, mostly having to do with his ex’s new boyfriend (Tahar Rahim, from the brilliant “A Prophet”) and her teenage daughter. I won’t reveal more. Suffices to say that this is the first chapter of an unfolding story that left me speechless by the time it was over. Farhadi, a superior filmmaker, sets up his story and peels away its many mysteries, one layer at a time. The characters in his screenplay are real people, leading imperfect lives; they don’t always make good choices. But we can relate to their feelings, and their actions, at every turn of this devastating drama. And we come to understand that there are no easy solutions once the story reaches its conclusion. If thought provoking filmmaking is what you’re looking for, “The Past” is definitely the movie for you. It’s as powerful as a punch in the gut.

Rating: 3.5/4

A Separation [2011] ★★★½

March 17, 2012

This year’s Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language is raw and riveting, and that’s what makes it so effective. “A Separation”, written and directed by Asghar Farhadi is a pileup of horrors, and Farhadi does little to lighten the burden. You won’t find yourself smiling or feeling good after the credits start rolling. Instead, the movie takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride for two hours, and leaves you devastated. I’m not complaining. The movie’s terrific. There are no good guys and bad guys here: only everyday people trying their best to survive. Nader (Peyman Moaadi) and Simin (Leila Hatami) are a couple seeking a divorce. She wants to move abroad with their 11-year-old daughter, Termeh (Sarina Farhadi). He wants Termeh to stay. Keep in mind, this is a society where men make most of the decisions. Which means his wife cannot take his daughter if he doesn’t consent. But Simin is not the best decision maker either: she wants her spouse to abandon his old father, who has Alzheimer’s and can’t take care of himself. In terms of plot, I say that’s all you need to know going in. I am deliberately leaving out details so that you can experience the full impact of the story yourself. The leading character, a great acting performance by Peyman Moaadi , is caught between his responsibility towards his father, and his role as a family man. He knows that the stage is being set for a showdown and it isn’t going to be pretty. Farhadi’s screenplay ties everything together beautifully, injecting it with matters of conscience, coincidence and ethics. He’s an enormous talent. And “A Separation” proves it, even with all the drama overload. Yet with Moaadi and Hatami at the eye of the storm, the movie gets to you. It hits hard.

Rating: 3.5/4