Review of Tehroun (2010) by Charles James I — 07 Nov 2010

Starz Denver Film Festival 2010.

Around every rusty corner of this beautiful and decadent city, there is hope and likewise despair. Tehran, or "Tehroun" as called by local Iranians is a city not unlike other global metropolis regions. Poor and rich areas alike, with respective suburban communities. Despite an overbearing fascist type regime of government, we find the same elements of humanity exist. People drinking alcohol secretly. Dabbling in the flesh-trade. Human trafficking. Tehroun reminds us that the rest of the world is equally fucked. Equally engulfed in the worldly sins.

I was particularly excited for this film, as it represents a rebellious idea, in a rapidly growing market of film. Illegally recorded Iranian film. Smuggled out of the country to be produced at risk of imprisonment. There is no guarantee of success, and the absolute guarantee that you can never return to your home country. This growing popularity of sentiments is sweeping across the middle east, and becoming a popular trend abroad. Rebellious by nature. A generation of children that are fed up with traditionality, and crave to be free. People that crave to give into their desires because it feels good, and it fulfills us as human beings.

This tale is tragic, and humbles the viewer. It is a fantastic journey to a forbidden land. A wonderful homage to a dying city that is, in many ways, still being born.