One of the most peculiar documentaries I have ever seen. But also one of the most brave, telling and therefore important (not-)movie I have ever seen. Jafar Panahi, internationally acclaimed director, is sentenced to jail (6 years) and forbidden to make movies (20 years) by the oppressive Iranian government. He sits at home awaiting his appeal, unable to do what he wants, making movies. However, the ban didn't mention appearing on camera, so he sets up the camera and films his day in his appartment.
Considering this, you shouldn't expect much action. Actually nothing much happen at all. Panahi speaks with his lawyer on the phone about his case, he describes his next movie (which have been stopped by authorities) to a friend and discusses the day he and his family got arrested with a janitor. The dialogs got both a subtle humor and immense weight, just because they are describing real events, his own personal history.
And it is in that context this is such a brave and important movie. The drama (and subtle action) is in the point that we are _not_ watching his next movie. It is evidence and testament of the oppressive ban on a filmmaker, who just want to make films about people in Iran. It is a protest, pushing the limits of the ban. Panahi takes a huge risk doing this, which is why he mostly does this in his own appartment (but please take note of the final remark of the janitor, begging him bot to go outside and being seen with the camera, knowing in full what might happen then).
It is as a statement, describing the ban without ever showing it, that this is exteemely important. You won't be much entertained (although I didn't find it boring), but you need to see this, especially if you live in a democratic country thinking free speech can be taken for granted.
Considering this, you shouldn't expect much action. Actually nothing much happen at all. Panahi speaks with his lawyer on the phone about his case, he describes his next movie (which have been stopped by authorities) to a friend and discusses the day he and his family got arrested with a janitor. The dialogs got both a subtle humor and immense weight, just because they are describing real events, his own personal history.
And it is in that context this is such a brave and important movie. The drama (and subtle action) is in the point that we are _not_ watching his next movie. It is evidence and testament of the oppressive ban on a filmmaker, who just want to make films about people in Iran. It is a protest, pushing the limits of the ban. Panahi takes a huge risk doing this, which is why he mostly does this in his own appartment (but please take note of the final remark of the janitor, begging him bot to go outside and being seen with the camera, knowing in full what might happen then).
It is as a statement, describing the ban without ever showing it, that this is exteemely important. You won't be much entertained (although I didn't find it boring), but you need to see this, especially if you live in a democratic country thinking free speech can be taken for granted.