Charmøren

This movie, set in Denmark, by Iranian director Milad Alami who is making his feature film debut opens with a quite shocking scene. It had enough intrigue and mystery to keep me guessing to the end. But I felt it was somewhat marred by jumping, at times, from one scene to another without explanation, as well as an overabundance of explicit lovemaking scenes which become tedious. The acting is first rate, and Alami's capturing of the feel of the Iranian community in Denmark is perfection.

Overall, this is a movie that kept me engaged till its conclusion, but unfortunately as mentioned, it does get somewhat disjointed.

Initially starting with Iranian Ezmail, and his quest to find a key to staying in Denmark (or rather a girl who will sign that they are partners), he then meets a daughter of Iranian immigrants, and things become more complicated. At the same time he also starts to encounter the repercussions of his searching for fake love, and of hiding/ignoring his past.

I watched this movie during the Sakhalin film festival, and got to meet Soho Rezanejad afterwards, who game some insight as to her character, and how she can related strongly. And she highlighted that this is not just a story of an immigrant coming to Denmark, and trying to find a way to stay, but also the children of immigrants, and how they search for belonging.

I definitely recommend giving this a watch.

I love movies about poverty and Charmoren (The Charmer) nails it when it characterizes its main character - an Iraqi migrant living in Denmark - who is just going by through odd movers and other petty jobs. He is supposed to find a Danish wife in less than two months or else he will be deported, and so begins a funny yet a sad journey with pubs and night bars and parties where the aim is one and only one: find a bachelorette and get her to marry him. Charmoren starts as a sweet film and then just goes heavy on you as the climax unveils itself. The best part is neither the comedy or the desperation that is so beautifully acted out by main guy Ardalan Esmaili but when you get what his character does what he does at the end. It just makes the film so much more powerful and compelling in its art and message. One of the best films I saw at EUFF 2019. TN.

(Watched and reviewed at the 24th European Union Film Festival (EUFF India) in Mumbai.)

Trailer looked good. But it was 2 really long hours. Cannot recommend this movie at all. Waste of time!

The reviewer daniel-sorensen basically wrote everything I was thinking, give it a read, and give this movie a watch - I did not expect to be hooked from the beginning to the end. It's very authentic, and relatable. Great acting - and the movie stirs up a lot of interesting thoughts... Give it a go, you will not be dissappointed.