Gholam

A thought-provoking look at the Iranian diaspora, shedding light on some interesting cultural issues that are often overlooked and offering a rarely seen glimpse of the gritty, run down side of London.

The film starts slowly but is thoughtfully paced and builds nicely to a surprising conclusion. Shahab Hosseini's excellent performance brings out the nuances of a subtle yet powerful script. Refreshing not to be spoon-fed a narrative.

The director's artistic credentials translate well to the screen with the film visually arresting throughout.

"Gholam" makes Scorsese's "Taxi Driver" feel like all the 'Die Hard' films rolled into one. This minimalist, miserable British picture, the first feature for its director, is about an Iranian cab driver in London trying to forget his revolutionary past. However, unlike Travis Bickle, Gholam wants to avoid trouble but it comes looking for him nevertheless. A 'thriller' in only the most tenuous sense of the word, it is rather a character study given considerable clout by Shahab Hosseini's performance in the title role. Hosseini is virtually never off the screen and his charismatic presence lifts what is basically a cliche-ridden tale. It also might have helped if we could have read the subtitles which are small, white and often printed on white backgrounds. Whatever else "Gholam" is, it's an appalling job of sub-titling.

This Film surprised me in more ways than one. I was shocked to hear this was the Directors first film because it was so well made, and unlike anything I had ever seen. This movie made me think! Although it seems to be following a Iranian in present day. I was able to feel this charecters pains, sufferage, courage and honor all through watching him go through his daily life in present time. The decisions he would make the places he would go we're all a direct reflection of what he had gone through and where he had been as opposed to where he was trying to go.. The End of the Film was so thrilling and exciting it really makes you think! 10/10 for me! Amazing Cinematogrophy and incredible Acting Hope to see more films from this new Director

You people just don't get it. I find so delightful the truthness in this antiglamorous London, the true London outside tourism. The London for those who doesn't have any penny.

Shahab Hosseini is the spirit of inmigration. Something remains hidden in his life, something that he wants to get away. He wants to join in another country and culture, but the city is so alienating, so the sensation of loneliness gets almost every frame. The atmosphere in this film is so well done, the tone really put us in the mood of the main carachter. Some people says that reminds them to Jean-Pierre Melville. I wouldn't go that far, but yes, is a sober and moody atmosphere for a moody world.

Shahab Hosseini is just perfect. I recently watched a pair of films with awful actors and i tell you it's so hard what he does, hiding under Gholam's skin, just he's not acting. It's very subtle and I love it. It really brings me honestly to a part of the world that in fact exists.

Maybe the story it isn't the more banging you'll see, but can keep your attention if you are a bit patient. A beatiful slice of true cinema. If you find it boring, just try to find some popcorn spectacle, something outside reality or, if not, snobbish art-house films.

Superbly acted by a leading Iranian actor and skilfully directed by Mitra Tabrizian this is a film to be enjoyed on several levels - most obviously as thriller. But more powerfully as a portrayal of a man who retains his integrity through refusing to engage with others. This is a tricky task and the award winning Hosseini plays it to perfection. He uses a minimum of words but his demeanour conveys all.

My appreciation of the film deepens as I think about what kind of man Gholam is. For undoubtedly he is the very centre of the film. It is not that he shows us how to make or refuse choices. Rather, the enigmatic figure of Gholam opens onto questions of choice and freedom.

Both the director and the actor are to be congratulated. Together they have produced a central character like no other.