Iranian Film Reviews
Taste of Cherry
Directed by Abbas Kiarostami, starring Homayon Ershadi
ASIN: 6305362688
Release Date 1999
Middle-aged Mr.Badii is planning to commit suicide and desperately seeks anyone to assist him - he has already dug out his grave in the mountains, but the assistant will have to bury him when he will do the deed. He asks a Kurdish soldier, an Afghan seminarian, but everyone refuses for some reason. Finally he finds an old Turkish taxidermist, who has a sick son and previously attempted suicide himself, and he agrees to assist Badii.
Buy this DVD from Amazon USA | UK | Japan
Crimson Gold
Directed by Jafar Panahi, starring Hossain Emadeddin
ASIN: B0002C814I
Release Date 2004
For Hussein, a pizza delivery driver, the imbalance of the social system is thrown in his face wherever he turns. One day when his friend, Ali, shows him the contents of a lost purse, Hussein discovers a receipt of payment and cannot believe the large sum of money someone spent to purchase an expensive necklace. He knows that his pitiful salary will never be enough to afford such luxury. Hussein receives yet another blow when he and Ali are denied entry to an uptown jewelry store because of their appearance. His job allows him a full view of the contrast between rich and poor. He motorbikes every evening to neighborhoods he will never live in, for a closer look at what goes on behind closed doors. But one night, Hussein tastes the luxurious life, before his deep feelings of humiliation push him over the edge.
Buy this DVD from Amazon USA | UK | Japan
Our Times
Directed by Rakhshan Bani Etemad
ASIN: B000A7Q1PG
Release Date 2005
This fascinating documentary focuses on the Iranian elections of 2002 and the role of women in Iranian society as Bani-Etemad follows a group of women who run for office and gradually narrows her view to the plight of one woman who attempts an heroic but unsuccessful run for the presidency.
Buy this DVD from Amazon USA | UK | Japan