Post-revolutionary Iran has produced such a high number of remarkably accomplished, humanist films. This is one of the most accessible and accomplished. The story is really quite simple- a young girl desperately, and by adult standards irrationally, desires a new gold fish for New Years ceremonies. Through a wide range of complex adventures she gains and loses the financial resources to make her purchase. With this simple story two of Iran's most distinguished and influential directors Jafar Panahi (the director) and Abbas Kiarosrami (The writer of this film's screenplay) create a narrative that argues for the basic "goodness" and "decency" of the average citizen of Tehran.
Watching this film from an American context is a remarkably political experience. In a country that has replaced cold war nonsense (USSR is the "evil empire") with a new racist "Islamaphobia" that tries to rival the days of the European crusades, watching a film in which the basic daily lives of Arab citizens are treated with dignity is a liberating experience.
While the film obviously has a number of subtle an beautifully realized political and social messages that evidently resonate within in its own national context, it should also be respected for its cross-cultural themes and it's ability to inspire audiences from diverse backgrounds around the world. ...........
Watching this film from an American context is a remarkably political experience. In a country that has replaced cold war nonsense (USSR is the "evil empire") with a new racist "Islamaphobia" that tries to rival the days of the European crusades, watching a film in which the basic daily lives of Arab citizens are treated with dignity is a liberating experience.
While the film obviously has a number of subtle an beautifully realized political and social messages that evidently resonate within in its own national context, it should also be respected for its cross-cultural themes and it's ability to inspire audiences from diverse backgrounds around the world. ...........