Michael Moore is putting on his second annual Traverse City Film Festival, complete with a Salute to Iranian Cinema. As he puts it, "a sort of "Let's get to know them first this time!" effort." No word on whether there will be subtitles or if you need to brush up on your Farsi.
The choices:
Men at Work, Directed By: Mani Haghighi
Four men from Tehran are on their way to the mountains for a weekend ski trip. As they round a curve, they encounter a boulder that sits on the edge of a cliff. Together they decide that the boulder must be pushed off that cliff. And, for the next 80 minutes, that's what we see them try to do in this funny, poignant allegory by the acclaimed Iranian director Mani Haghighi. No matter what they try to do, the rock won't budge. And neither will they. This is a great, small film that has many big things to say. We are proud to welcome from Tehran the director, Mani Haghighi, as part of our Salute to Iranian Cinema. Mr. Haghighi will speak after the film. Not Rated
President Mir Qanbar, Directed By: Mohammed Shirvani
A poor, 74-year-old man by the name of Mir Qanbar decides that anyone can grow up to be president of Iran. So he declares his candidacy and sets off on the campaign trail with his mule and his loyal friend, Seifollah, to the many remote, poverty-stricken villages of his district. He has a cart and a bicycle and a megaphone. He promises everyone he meets that he will clean up the government and represent the little guy. Director Mohammed Shirvani has brilliantly captured the quiet dignity and determination of Mir Qanbar in this exquisite documentary about a man to whom democracy is not just a word or a promise. Not Rated
And my personal choice...
Iron Island, Directed By: Mohammad Rasoulof
In this astonishing film directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, a huge abandoned oil tanker sits a few miles off the coast of Iran. Captain Nemat, played by Ali Nasirian, establishes his own society on the ship and others join him as they create a floating city. With their own money, power, clothing factory, and jobs, they are self sufficient, but Nemat rules with an iron fist. His absolute power is tested when two young lovers, under increasing pressure from outside influences, defy his authority. This allegory for contemporary Iranian society is funny one moment and brutal the next. Part of our Salute to Iranian Cinema. Not Rated
Personally I think Men at Work might be pretty funny, President Mir Qanbar may be moving, but Iron Island may not have the desired effect.
To make this work Iran needs to reciprocate, any suggestions on American films to show in Iran? Oh, that's right, Iran has banned American films. |
