Why would 2 iranians talk english to each other??!! - Rosewater (2014) Discussion

[–] reviewsbylauren 10 years ago

If they didn't speak English the film wouldn't get any exposure in the US. Although many interested in the subject matter or foreign language films would still watch it, it would be alienating for others.

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[–] DrShwarts 10 years ago

Ok I'm not against that but why the accent?

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[–] reviewsbylauren 10 years ago

"Authenticity"

Having an Iranian accent, or something that western audiences identify as Iranian would make it seem more realistic instead of an American accent on the person.

It's the same reason a pompous British accent is used for Ancient Greek and Roman film. We don't know what they actually sounded like, but movies in the 30s-50s used the British accent so now that's what everyone uses.

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[–] reviewsbylauren 10 years ago

"Authenticity"

Having an Iranian accent, or something that western audiences identify as Iranian would make it seem more realistic instead of an American accent on the person.

It's the same reason a pompous British accent is used for Ancient Greek and Roman film. We don't know what they actually sounded like, but movies in the 30s-50s used the British accent so now that's what everyone uses.

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[–] katie_g85 10 years ago

Though I haven't seen the movie, I've seen the trailer. Trust me, those aren't Iranian accents. I've listened to them my whole life. It bothers me so much I can't see the movie because of it.

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[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rdmisc 10 years ago

In addition to MrX's response, as Mr. Bahari explained to us the audience during the q+a, he had greater leverage during his imprisonment to maintain speaking in English because doing that kept asserting to the forefront that they had chosen to falsely accuse and abuse - a foreign national - not a domestic Iranian. And in addition to this, his own and his family fought such tyrannical misuse of justice.

Not that complicated of a strategy to understand.

As Jon Stewart said, the biggest mistake the Iranian government made by choosing to initiate a plan that falsely imprisoned an innocent man was that he was a journalist - and that plus the fact that The daily show had a small interaction in this situation meant -- we would never forget and the truth of the story WOULD come out - as it has with Mr. Bahari's book and now the film.

Imagine how much courage it took for Mr. Bahari to not have"laid down" his hope, desire for the truth after his ordeal - but instead stand up - and say "no more".

As Mr. Bahari said in response to an audience question, he could have very easily slipped into a quiet background life or left journalism all together. Except that there are thousands and thousands of people not only in Iran but around the world who's names no one knows and media can't pronounce that are also imprisoned falsely for standing up for freedom, human rights and the right of choice.

Oh and the q+a discussion after the film was all conducted in English :)

Freedom of speech. Real Conversations. Real Friendships. Real Life. 7*4*11

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[–] DrShwarts 9 years ago

@rdmisc @MrX2848 @skiop @Krustallos @reviewsbylauren

I understand what you mean, if that's the approach, at least drop the accent. its not even Iranian accent. its Arabic accent. so we got an actor from Latin america playing Iranian speaking English in an Arabic accent. just listen to the real guy and tell me its the same accent. that's not authenticity as @reviewsbylauren suggested.

here is the thing, if you want to do a movie like that, either speak native language which is Persian, like Apocalypto, or speak regular English,American or British, like gladiator or Ed Harris in Enemy at the Gates. he was playing a German but spoke American.

English with foreign accents should only be used between a native and non native. it depends on the story of course. like if two immigrants speak English in America with an accent or if English is popular in a specific country like India, that will be OK but between two natives in their own country its just stupid.

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[–] JGAS 9 years ago

I'm not sure anyone will see this, but while some people actually responded to your post, I understand your entire point was to illustrate how smart you are about international dialects. We got it. You're an expert, possibly the most respected dialect analyzer in the world. For us paeans, we couldn't tell the difference between a Iranian or Arabic accent and the difference didn't ruin anything for us. But you knew that, otherwise you wouldn't have made your post and been able to demonstrate how expert you are.

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[–] Krustallos 10 years ago

I know what you mean, but even "Schindlers List" used this technique. Most people would find it more jarring without. "Last Temptation of Christ" sounded very weird with New York accents, for example.

I used to want to change the world. Now I just want to leave the room with a little dignity.

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[–] skiop 10 years ago

Yeah. It's to let you know that they're speaking Persian without wasting time getting translators, training the actors to speak Persian, and putting up subtitles.

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[–] baran_erik 8 years ago

The same reason Germans and Japanese speak English in all those WWII movies; so the audience that it's made for can understand what they're saying.

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