A Film Festival is a magical experience. During a festival, we, the audience are blessed to see films that we would normally not get to see during the year. Besides the films themselves, we are often fortunate to have the artists/craftsmen come and share the stories they have created. When I attend a film festival there is always a buzz of energy in the theatres and within the audience.
One of the best film festivals, I have ever attended is the Fajr Film Festival in Tehran, Iran. This year, the 30th Annual Festival and being held from 1 – 11 February 2012. What makes this festival great? Besides the hospitality and kindness of the Iranians and delicious food, we are gifted with seeing cinema from one of the most talented Cinema nations in the world.
The Iranian film SEPARATION won the Oscar for Best Foreign Feature. And in all the years I have attended the Fajr Film Festival, I would say, without doubt, this year’s Iranian films were the best collection I have seen.
Sometimes at a film festival, a discovery can be made. Look at Sundance and how many films and filmmakers it has discovered. That is part of the fun and mystic of a film festival. You, the audience become the film critic and discover a film that has not been released to the public.
The film BEAR, directed by Khosrow Ma’soumi started off with the family dinner, mom, dad, son and daughter. Dad (Bear) was a hulking, stern man, living with a pretty wife and two lovely children. Their house was on the side of a mountain, with a beautiful view of the snow covered range. I started thinking “Oh no, another problem oriented family film”.
We cut to a forlorn man coming into town, visiting the house of the lovely wife. Quickly we are thrown deep into a compelling story! They were married before, he joined the army, became captured during the Iraq war and disappeared. She thought he was dead, reported him as such and remarried to Bear. Her original husband reappeared after 8 years! They immediately reconnected. He wanted her back, but was shocked to hear she remarried. He begged her to leave. She said “no way, you don’t know my husband, I’m married and have two kids”. Not good news, but none the less, you could feel the connection.
She told Bear, that her ex husband came by, that he was not dead. Bear presumed he wanted her back, but insisted without discussion, that he was married, had two kids and she should not see him again. She looked down.
But love caused ex and her to meet again. And Bear found out. Bear confronted and attacked his wife’s ex. Bear’s assault and lack of understanding just confirmed that she had chosen a high strung man.
Bear’s wife and the ex continued to see each other. Bear consulted with his brother saying “ At first I loved her a lot, but now it’s different”. Bear didn’t want to see his wife contact the ex. This is where Director Khosrow did a great job showing that there was no real love between Bear and his wife, yet they both felt obligated to stay together cause they were married. Bear was insecure and was getting anxious.
He confronted his wife “You think I’m stupid, dumb person, you don’t think I know what is going on? I’ll go out and kill him”.
Tension was building in the film. The gentle ex husband, the unhappy, but trapped wife and the insecure potentially explosive Bear. The film was gripping because you didn’t know which way the plot would go.
Without going into the movie’s ending, I feel Khosrow, did a fantastic job engaging the audience and then taking us for an unpredictable finish. The cast and script were of the quality level you would expect to see in an Academy Award Film. I’m predicting Bear will be the Iranian Best Foreign Feature film at 2012 Academy Awards.
Another Iranian competition film was The Orange Suit, directed by Dariush Mehrjui. A Director who came to the first Bangkok Film Festival in 1999.
The Orange Suit was way out of the box! Who would make a film about an educated guy, who drops everything to become a streetsweeper? However, I can relate to the story. Just as Dariush did, when he opened the film, shooting himself talking about the filth and nausea of seeing so much garbage piled on the beach. The protagonist couldn’t stand seeing garbage in the parks and on the street. People are insane just throwing their litter into public areas.
Dariush made us feel the pain of garbage and disrespectful people. Mahrjui rejuvenated us by creating a character who cared and brought passion to sweeping the streets. Orange alludes to the color of the city cleaner’s uniform. An excellent story.
The cast was terrific, from the other street sweepers to friends and family that embraced the Streetcleaner. I enjoyed the film’s black humour, and the refreshing spirit of our Streetsweeper who battled all odds and went against the fabric of society.
The 30th Fajr Film Festival was an incredible experience and look forward to many great Iranian films coming out this year!
