Under the Shadow

‘Under the Shadow’ Dramatic/Horror of 2016 was Superb! Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards and another 9 nominations and 11 wins that year, it’s easy to see that I wasn’t the only fan of Iranian/British Writer/Director Babak Anvari.

This was Anvari’s first Feature Film and it was absolutely Fantastic! The story in it self was very simply told but was woven together by many symbolic and key elements that helped the audience not only relate to but also invest and root for the stories’ main characters. Set in Iran during the 1980’s and filmed in Jordan, the struggle to keep fear and anxiety away during a repressive and never-ending war, was enough to put any person in their right mind ‘on-edge’. 

Beautifully shot, and framed with simple camera movements, Anvari made it wonderfully easy for the believability of terror to slowly creep into viewers’ minds. I loved the quiet moments and close shots and I found that even though the story was quite simple, it was also sensationally terrifying and those are qualities every filmmaker who wants to evoke any emotion (in this case fear) would aim to achieve! It’s always about the story! After that, the pacing, the acting, and the execution of crucial moments puts it all in perspective.

Kudos Anvari! Thanks for your inspiration!

A Girl Walks Alone at Night

A thing of beauty and certainly ‘JourneywithJair’ recommended. There is very little ‘Horror’ in this film, if any at all. This 2014 now ‘cult’ film written and directed by Iranian Ana Lily Amirpour was exceptionally shot, and though the story was highly simple, the execution and allure made it bloom into a magical and magnificent experience. I want to watch it over and over again…

Shot entirely in black & white and although all actors are of Iranian descent and speak Farsi, this film was shot in California where Amirpour did her graduate degree and currently lives. Our main characters, ‘Arash’ played by Arash Marandi and Sheila Vand who plays ‘The Girl’ had wonderful chemistry with each other. There is very little dialogue in this film, but when spoken, it is quite poetic and meaningful. The characters are wonderful to watch and it is exciting to see how much is conveyed with just gestures and motion. In spite of some sexual matter, none of it comes across crude or overbearing and there is no kissing whatsoever. The sexuality comes across with extreme ’close-shots’ and distinct body language.

‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night’ is reminiscent of another wonderful film ‘Let the Right One In’ the 2008 Swedish film written by John Ajvide Lindqvist and directed by Tomas Alfredson. Both indomitably show the trappings of loneliness, despair and the craving or desire for something more…

Persepolis

As I'm obsessed with everything French, I also have a soft-spot for Middle-Eastern culture. I find it to be one of the most mystical, sensual, and traditional cultures today. I'd heard about the Persepolis graphic novels in 2007 but hadn't the opportunity to delve into reading both novels till only recently and was fortunate enough to have it followed up by watching the film, all written, and directed by Iranian Marjane Satrapi and co-adapted scenario for film by French Vincent Paronnaud.

What a delightful treat!

I rolled with laughter and also learned a great deal about the Islamic revolution during the 1980's and the on-going struggles of Iran's past. The film, although in my opinion loosely showcased all information from both books, was just as engaging, and emotionally dynamic. It was an autobiographical  'coming-of-age' story during the Iranian revolution and adapted meaningfully and excellently by Satrapi whose work was nominated for an Oscar and obtained 26 other nominations and 20 wins for all her devotion.

With a budget of $7 million USD and a run-time of 96 minutes, it was a marvelous adventure into the hearts of the people in Iran. Voiced in both English and French, each version leaves a different impression. 

Certainly a work of art to be enjoyed and studied for decades to come. 'Journey with Jair' recommended! You may want to keep the tissues nearby! :))

Argo

Ben Affleck is currently on a good run; his latest film in which he stars as well as directs has earned him nominations for 7 Oscars, 37 other nominations as well as 21 wins. He has already quadrupled his initial budget of $44 million USD and the film is the talk of ‘The Town’ – no pun intended! J

Based on a true story, Affleck manages to piece together history in a fascinating, thrilling and compelling way.  This drama is a collage of exotic cinematography, gripping dialogue as well as brilliant acting by which he is able to deliver successfullly. Although I feel that this film shines too little a light on the truth that initially caused the tension between America and Iran; I feel that it was a good strategy to win the hearts and connection with the Western film world.

John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Victor Garber, Bryan Cranston, Clea DuVall, Scoot McNairy are just a few of the cast in this film, all of whom are American including those who played Iranian as authentic actors from Tehran may have received harmful consequences if authorities recognized them in this film.

Every person, every country has different ways of doing things, different ways of living, but that shouldn’t make it weird or unusual. Because a civilization does something differently they should not be considered any less of a man; only a different man; and this is why I will vehemently disagree with the following statement made in the film.

“Actions of Iran, have shocked the civilized world.”

We must ask ourselves, what indeed makes a civilized world?

If you enjoy the adrenalin rush, action and the run and chase, then you’ll fall in love with Argo. Sure they may have demonized Iranians, with a biased point-of-view on history, but it isn’t the first time or the last time filmmakers will take this route.

On a lighter note this film is clever in a plethora of ways, and what I loved the most was the wonderful ‘film idea’ that saved the day! I’ll leave you with some of my favourite quotes:

“Argo fuck yourself.”

“It’s got horses in it. It’s a Western.”

“If I’m gonna make fake movies. It’s gonna’ be a fake hit!”

“Brace yourself, it’s like talking to the old too fucks from the Muppets.”

“We’re gonna’ need a script!” J

The Stoning of Soraya M.

I've always been fond of Middle-Eastern culture and customs; the music, the dancing, the elegance, and yes also the movies. My sister recommended this one; and it unveils another side of tradition still practiced during the 20^th century; a very ugly side that films like this one can thankfully expose the truth to the world, enabling society to assist in discontinuing such inhumane and inequitable sort of punishment.

We live still in a very patriarchal society worldwide; men are paid more, men are able to have the final say in politics and most times also in the home. Women are not seen for what they really are; they are the bearers of life, they are goddesses to be cherished and respected but time and time again women are given bad names like: whores, bitches, hags, and broads, among many other derogatory names. Sure there are bad apples everywhere, in all races, countries, and even sexes. However respect again is something lacking in our human race. Treat others as you would like to be treated, love others how you would like to be loved, respect one another the way you wish also to be respected…

This 2008 film written and directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh was set in the 1980's in Iran and is based on a true story of real events that sadly still continue to this day. The Stoning of Soraya M. was an intense depiction of a dutiful wife and mother's overturn to death despite her innocence. It showed the malady of what she endured in silence and accused in the end for something she would not have fathomed of committing, especially as she already endured upset because of her husband being unfaithful to her as well as beating her in front of her children. It clearly showed the double-standards not only within the Iranian/Middle-Eastern society but also within fanatical religious sects.

The performance by Shohreh Aghdashloo who played Zahra and Soraya M.'s aunt was one of the best I've seen to date. There is beauty and strength in her words and facial expressions; she is a natural at delivering believable sensitivity and emotions throughout each scene. For me, she certainly stole the show and easily made this film a classic. The camera angles, close-shots and cinematography were first-rate and the soundtrack and especially the sound effects and haunting rhythm of the hitting of stones added that much fear and thrill to help the film reach its climax.

It is interesting to me how hypocritical we are in society, when it is alright for a man to sleep with many women and be considered a hero, and it is unladylike even for a woman to smoke a cigarette; something is very wrong here. How can humans continue asking the Universe for signs and when it is given we dismiss it completely. We doubt, we complain, we pretend as though we don't see it; yet we always ask for help… When all we need to do is love one another as we would also like to be loved; but it is something that we always fail to do; until we learn first how to do this, we shall never know what true love really is.