Badigard

I'm a fan of HatamiKia and Saw this movie on the first day it came out because the fuzz and buzz was so much beforehand. I was expecting another masterpiece from Hatamikia, something like Glass Agency. Movie started well and was very engaging but suddenly fell down to level of a very normal film and stayed there for the rest of it... Actings were not superb at all even Parastoei who's a phenomenal actor wasn't extraordinary let alone the other actors. The worst part of the movie in my opinion is directing and story, specially the latter. Screenplay was just oofffff and gets you lost (not in a good way). Most of the Dialogues were either too much of a show off or hard to understand or relate to. Simply put, the movie was struggling so hard to be a masterpiece but falls short. Due to a new story, Bodyguard could be entertaining for normal people of the society (who watches movie occasionally) however professionals, semi-professionals and critics would probably find it boring and kind of weird.

I'm not a big fan of Iranian movie but love Parviz's acting that's why I chose to watch this movie which I'm very glad I did!this movie has a great story amazing with amazing actors and actress.

Bodyguard is tragic tale indeed. Ever so more poignant in the ever escalating tension Hatamkia creates. This masterpiece transcends itself into something a little different, something that has a great deal of emotional value, infused with action sequences and a tragedy that results in such a brutal finale, I was simply left gasping for air.

"Bodyguard" is the best Iranian film I've seen in years. It's thrilling. When it ended, my mom exclaimed she had been holding her breath for the last hour, and this rang true. The movie had my family on the very edge of our seats.

The movie is beautiful, making us all reflect about the evolution of post-revolution Iranian society, the value of our professions, and even the purpose of our lives. But fundamentally, this movie is just incredibly entertaining. Watch the movie. You won't regret it.

With the film Bodyguard, Ebrahim Hatamikia managed to create a true masterpiece of cinematography.

It tells the story of a bodyguard, and although there were films on this topic before, but this picture stands apart. The film is perfect from the standpoint of cinematography, actors, and ideas.

The story begins with the main hero Hajji Heidar Zabihi, played by Parviz Parastoui, getting assigned to protect vice-president Dr. Solati. But during an assassination attempt by a suicide bomber the vice-president becomes injured and subsequently dies. After this Heidar receives another important mission to protect nuclear scientist Meisam Zarrin (portrayed by Babak Hamidian who received the Best Supporting Actor award at VIFF). The main character is constantly haunted by the images of his past and he questions his mission and his future. After some time he begins to doubt that he did everything he could to protect Dr. Solati.

The film depicts well the modern Iranian society and although this film is very realistic it is also highly expressive. The film was highly successful in Iran where it grossed $1.85 million in the box-office but it is less known in the West. Nevertheless it deserves attention of audience and critics worldwide because it is not only a popular film, but is also a powerful and spiritual art house picture.

Read more at: http://indie-cinema.com/2017/07/bodyguard-2016-viff-2017/