Possibly the film is a triumph - it comes from Iran, deals with exploitation and prejudice, and is very careful not to criticise (implicitly, too) powers-that-be. I had a feeling, at times, that I was witnessing an amateur dramatic production: a lot of the acting didn't seem to be convincing. The story-line is thin, very thin: both Streisand in Yentl (not my favourite movie at all) and Julie in Victor/Victoria are more convincing as 'men' than 'women'. Here, nobody could mistake the actress playing Rachmat as a boy - under any circumstances.
And therein lies the problem with Baran - it deals with an issue that could and should be taken seriously - while still subjugating the woman: EVEN in the film - the narrative is unable to transcend the social subjugation of the opressed.
In short, a triumph in places: but a landmark film, no. Acting often borders on the histrionic and is an affable emotional mess - I've seen children be more convincing. Maybe the problem is that the film tries to be brave, but falls short of actually looking at the society which has produced some of the situations it portrays. And it's not enough to blame the Soviet Union for its invasion of Afghanistan; a good film would look at the way the current regime (Iran) reinforces status quos. And it does not or cannot.
So, given all the hype (in our press too, this film is lauded as 'brilliant') I have to be a lone voice disagreeing.
And therein lies the problem with Baran - it deals with an issue that could and should be taken seriously - while still subjugating the woman: EVEN in the film - the narrative is unable to transcend the social subjugation of the opressed.
In short, a triumph in places: but a landmark film, no. Acting often borders on the histrionic and is an affable emotional mess - I've seen children be more convincing. Maybe the problem is that the film tries to be brave, but falls short of actually looking at the society which has produced some of the situations it portrays. And it's not enough to blame the Soviet Union for its invasion of Afghanistan; a good film would look at the way the current regime (Iran) reinforces status quos. And it does not or cannot.
So, given all the hype (in our press too, this film is lauded as 'brilliant') I have to be a lone voice disagreeing.