I started getting fascinated with Iranian movies 3 months ago when I saw the "Children of Heaven" (Bacheha-Ye Aseman 1979 film by Majid Majidi). It was one of those simple (neorealist) but powerful movie that could change your outlook on simple living.
So I decided to search for more Majid Majidi movies and other great movies from great directors in Iran, and here's what I've seen and would definitely recommend watching:
1. Children of Heaven (Bacheha-Ye Aseman 1979) - Majid Majidi, the best movie I've ever seen.
2. Color of Paradise (Rang-e Khoda 1999)- Majid Majidi
3. Baran - Majid Majidi
4. The Koker Trilogy (3 movies which are connected together by the same place. Interesting as it is layers of movies intertwined, it's like uv watched the movie within a movie within a movie. Check it out and find out what I mean, but start with the first one: "Where's the Friend's Home", then "Life and Nothing More", and lastly "Through the Olive Trees". All from the legendary director - Abbas Kiarostami
5. Taste of Cherry (Tam-e Guilass) - Abbas Kiarostami, most scenes are from moving vehicle, it's Kiarostami's signature style.
6. Close-up (Nemaye Nazdik) - Abbas Kiarostami, very simple but moving.
7. The Wind will Carry us - A.Kiarostami
8. The Cyclist - Mohsen makhmalbaf
9. A few kilos of dates for a funeral (Chand kilo korma baraye marassem-e tadfin 2006) - Salman Salur - this is B&W movie, so don't be surprised.
10. Crimson Gold (Talaye sorkh) - Jafar Panahi/ A. Kiarostami
11. Khomreh (The Jar) - Ebrahim Forouzesh, i take it as a metaphor for government and society.
12. Fireworks Wednesday (Chaharshanbe-soori) - Asghar Farhadi, unique story
13. Marmoulak - Kamal Tabrizi --- this one is a really must-see, hilarious!
14. Marriage Iranian Style (Ezdevaj be sabke irani) - Hassan Fathi, this one is a bit of a cliche but ok to watch for the customs & traditions stuff in the movie. The american actor here is like a tourist they've just talked out to act in the movie, but the lady in the movie is pretty, and the rest are good actors.
15. The Wind Carpet (Kaze no jutan) - Kamal Tabrizi, Iran-Japan friendship movie of sort.
16. Santoori - Darius Mehrjui, music were really good, and one of those anti-drug campaign movie, worth watching.
17. Offside - Jafar Panahi --- just got it so I'll be watching it later.
Enjoy those Iranian movies, I truly did...just a caution ---it's addicting. Cheers!
reply
share