Khakestari

Having read reviews about this film saying it is banned in Iran, and that it is 'daring', I thought I would find something similar to Kiarostami's "Ten" in which women's issues are highlighted with the clever use of encounters with strangers and dialog.

However, "Khakestari" is little more than a B-class drama, duly showing the life of a conservative girl from Isfahan, adjusting to mixed-gender university life in the capital, Tehran. Although Iranian cinema is known to be quite slow-moving, it provides for some quirky entertainment and suspense. Non of that was available in this film, which was more like a made-for-TV feature-length soap.

The film was made in Iran, and was probably aiming for release in Iran, as the actresses were in proper Islamic attire all the time. I'm not sure as to why exactly it was banned there.

The characters are inanimate and invoke no sympathy. There seems to be little point to the whole plot line, and the conclusion leaves you apathetic.

The only reason this film would be worthwhile watching is to have a glimpse at some aspects of Middle Eastern culture. If you like soaps or Bollywood, you might find it an OK waste of time.