MovieChat Forums > In film nist (2012) Discussion > Stunning film

Stunning film

posted 12 years ago by Projectedlight
4 replies | jump to latest

By following Mirtahmasb's advice to document everything, Panahi proves his own theories about filmmaking. The essence and energy of the actors and setting breathe new life into the film and cause it to 'direct itself'.
Watching Panahi map out his film on the rug is heartbreaking, but even in the face of the government's persecution he is able to create magical cinema. The final stretch with the garbage collector and the fireworks is amazing.

Everyone interested in filmmaking should watch this.

[–] Tchoutoye 12 years ago

Agreed. The film doesn't sound very interesting on paper: Panahi phoning his friends, explaining his script for an unmade film, some random people drop by.

And yet the film is very engaging, exposing magical moments in the routine of daily life, set against his impending jail sentence and the threat of (what would practically be) the end of his film career.

Furthermore, it is (not) a film about (non-)film making.

[–] limecat86 12 years ago

The final POV shot with Panahi outside the apartment building holding the camera towards the gate will stick with me forever. They say the point of view technique evokes sympathy from the audience when they see the heroes difficult path, the heroes obstacles through their eyes. Well this is REAL and it's quite heart breaking to see.

One of the most powerful documentaries I have ever seen.

[–] Errington_92 9 years ago

This Is Not A Film was interesting in viewing Panahi's ideals of filmmaking and his passion as a director. The scene where Panahi became upset over his ban and walked from the camera was heartfelt.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

[–] svenrufus 9 years ago

I think that scene is what this film hangs on. He stops, bows his head and then says something like "If we have to read our films, why would we bother making them" and then walks off. It seems like the realisation that he might not make more films was too much for him - his passion and vision for the medium was so obvious during the reading, you really felt for him there.

I must admit, during that reading, I did start to tire a little of it, but then 'that' happened, and I was floored. Brilliant. Every second of the reading was justified by that one moment. Every moment of the film is coloured by it.