Review of Circumstance (2011) by Jay J — 04 Sep 2011

Although the movie includes a pair of lesbian girls in Iran and that is how it has been promoted, in fact this is only a small part of the movie. I think the movie shows a revolution gone awry with disastrous results.

It shows that any power or social institution is a double edged sword that could be used in completely opposite directions. While religion was beneficial in helping Mehran quit his addiction, it was transformed into an abusive force to corrupt the officials and destroy the society.

The oppression is so prevailing and sex is such a taboo, that every woman who travels without a man, is assumed a whore and is propositioned and is expected to happily comply. The cab driver is content just to touch the foot of Shireen in order to musterbate and satisfy himself.

And he blackmails the girl into cooperating with him because he knows that authorities will believe a man's word over a woman's and they both know that he can get away with it. Women are so restricted that even a simple beach going and a rinse in the water is illegal and is enjoyed secretly and as a dream.

Under these strict circumstances, the curious, sexual and restricted teenager, will turn to his/her own sex for conversation and discovery. In this context, the lesbian relationship in the movie, will gain a different and much less important significance.

And that is how the revolution, started by the young, liberal, Berkley educated parents has turn into such a disastrous fiasco. Incidentally, I believe the movie's title in English is better be called "circumstances" as it shows the circumstances that has lead to the present dire situation.