Review of Iran: A Cinematographic Revolution (2006) by Walter M — 08 Jan 2009

[font=Century Gothic]"Iran: A Cinematographic Revolution" is a fascinating documentary about the history of Iranian filmmaking, starting with "The Cinema Actor" in 1933. Of special interest are the movies made during the reign of the Shah and the current Islamic Republic and how the directors have dealt with censorship under the two regimes.

Strangely enough, the movie treats the current repression kinder(which is ironic considering movie houses were burned when they first came to power), as former government ministers are interviewed along with directors whose films are discussed and clips are shown from.

There is also archival footage of the times and momentous events which acts as a background to the main narrative. The Shah wanted an image of Iran as prosperous whereas the Islamic Republic is much more interested in a religious view and especially wants children, nature, Persian poetry and traditional values on display which certainly explains "The Willow Tree.

" But women need not apply. At the same time, directors possibly influenced by neo-realist films have been interested in showing the Iran they know, especially Bahman Ghobadi who has taken a special interest in Kurdistan.

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