Imprisoned Iranian director Jafar Panahi’s This Is Not a Film opens at the New York’s Film Forum today and runs through March 13.
I put it on my Top 10 list for the year.
There is nothing happening in the world of film right now that can compete with what is going on in Iran. It’s life or death. I brought it up in this piece over at Dennis Cozzalio’s 2011 roundup.
A Separation team at the Oscars: Sarina Farhadi, Asghar Farhadi, Peyman Moadi, Leila Hatami, Mahmoud Kalari
That is why the win of A Separation for Best Foreign Film is such a big, BIG deal. (Here is my review.) Asghar Farhadi’s acceptance speech was eloquent and careful and did not mention Panahi, which is not a surprise, seeing as the situation is so dire back in Iran. But it was a major moment. The fact that Farhadi was even allowed to attend is incredible, considering the hounding of his colleagues over the last 10 years (with passports being denied, etc. etc.) And they ALL were there. The wonderful Leila Hatami (I’ve been a fan ever since I saw her debut in Leila in 1996) and Peyman Moadi (whose performance as the husband in A Separation is just one of the many many reasons to see this film) … seeing beautiful Leila sitting in that giant theatre, with her elegant white head scarf and beautiful smile … I thought of how international audiences have not had a chance to see many of her films due to the censorship issues in Iran. So emotional!
Farran and I both had a moment after A Separation won, where we reached out and slapped Five. This is huge. Most wins are meaningless. This one is not. It’s also great that it’s well-deserved. Very emotional.
Even though Farhadi did not say the name, Panahi’s presence was in that theatre during his speech.
This Is Not a Film opens at the Film Forum today.
Here is my review of This Is Not a Film when I saw it at the New York Film Festival.
