User Reviews

In a small Iranian village, the long feud between the clans Kamalvandi and Jamalvandi is about to finish with the marriage of Mehrbanou (Roya Nonahali) and Karamat (Ali Sarkhani). However, during the wedding party, Karamat humiliates Mehrbanou and offends the Kamalvandi clan, and their patriarch Pir Baba (Reza Karam Rezai) that had arranged the wedding dies. A couple of days later, Karamat buys a large van to transport the locals to the city. However, the stubborn Mehrbanou does not allow people from her clan to use that means of transportation, and they have to walk. She decides to buy an identical van to ruin Karamat's business and their competition leads to fights between the two families.

"Fast-e Panjom" is another wonderful Iranian film based on their traditions and with a limited budget. The simple screenplay is delightful with the vindictive Mehrbanou trying to make the life of Karamat hell on earth. This movie was released in Brazil on VHS by Cult Films Distributor. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Quinta Estação" ("The Fifth Season")

Here's another example of the genius of Iranian film, stories about circumstances so simple and everyday yet so suspenseful. A tale about an arranged marriage between a man and a woman, each from a different ethnic group that live in the same town but do not get along. The wedding is an attempt to stop the contempt between the two groups but stubbornness and egos flare and the bride and groom part ways, the groom leaving town to return later with a newly purchased bus to use as a money-making plan. He does well, charging the villagers to go to the city, where before they could only walk or go by horse and cart. But his bride, from the rival clan, out of spite and wanting revenge for the failed wedding, urges her brother to also buy a bus and start his own business of transport. Now with 2 busses in the town vying for the villagers money and loyalty it turns into a melee of anger and confrontation, splitting the townspeople further. It leaves you wondering if there is any hope. An excellent story showing peoples' nasty and sometimes childish sides, the pain and hate that grudges can cause, a simple village with big problems.