matthewcarneymph

If you aren't part of the Persian community, or peripheral to it, then you probably haven't seen this pure, flawless, one of a kind, sparkling gem. Mehran Modiri, get's credit for this one, for all great and appropriate reasons- he's a writer, director, actor, and I have to imagine 50 other things on this show, both credited and not credited. But he isn't alone, and this is one of the truths that make Shabehe Bahrareh one of the greatest comedies of all time, anywhere on the planet.

This is an ensemble comedy, taken up by a gang of some of the funniest actors, if you aren't Persian, you've never heard of. Comedy is renowned to be one of the most difficult performances to pull off successfully, and the troop of actors that Modiri finds himself at the center of are some of the very best comedic actors to be found. Comedy should be poignant, clever, silly but appropriate to context, and timed perfectly. There are lots of amazing actors all over the world that are well practiced at this. The stars of this beautiful series, though, add something very special to the mix- I think they genuinely love each other, and you can see clearly how much fun they are having with each other as they perform. This brings a kind of full-hearted sincerity to the program, that is missing in so many other, albeit, wonderful comedies. This ensemble is a family of friends, who tease and poke fun at each other, and when you spend time with them, you become part of the family, and part of the fun, as well.

I was extremely fortunate to have caught this program while spending time in Central Asia, because when it aired, it came with English subtitles. There are ways to stream this show today, which is brilliant, but what I wouldn't give to find a version somewhere with English subtitles intact! For some reason, none of the available options to watch this show now include English subtitles (though, if anyone out there knows of one that does, please make it known to the rest of us!)

My greatest wish is that this particular show be watched by Americans and others who have some preconceived notions about the people of the Middle East, or Iran. Art has this peculiar way of leveling playing fields and of reminding us that we're all in this life and this world together. Shabheye Bahrareh is one of those rare artistic productions that has the power to simultaneously transcend both the frustrating mundanity and urgency of life to show us how special life, and all of what life is comprised of, can be when we share it with each other, when we are able to laugh at it, and especially when we are able to laugh at ourselves. How much enjoyment we could take in one another, if we only stopped now and again to appreciate how similar we all are and how much fun life is because we are also not so similar.

Nobody is spared a clever, joyful, barb here or there in this comedic masterpiece, and you won't at all mind if some of those come at your own expense as well. The world, like Bahrareh, is really just a small village where life and love and drama unfold, and by poking fun at it all, it reminds us with genuine laughter that we're all human, we're all wonderfully imperfect, and most importantly, like the show itself, life is woefully too short.

This film was created, noticeably on a marginal budget at best. However, this talented crew has made the most out of every dollar.

First, the screenplay is perfectly written and executed. The plot is cleverly woven, never revealing so much as to make the story predictable, but always revealing enough to keep the viewer attentive and deeply engaged. The story was highly original, while never being overly nuanced with echoes of other popular features. Some viewers have made references to the Matrix, and with a stretch, it's possible to understand why, but this comparison undermines the innocence of this film. The story is inspired and provides a beautiful rendition of the mythos of all great story telling, the conflict between good and evil and the flawed hero that dances between.

Second, the screenplay is artfully interpreted through a mastery of direction. The actors are motivated and the scenes are compelling. The interplay between actors is emotionally charged and choreographed with precision; never is a scene drawn out too long so as to obstruct the flow of the story. The arrangement of sequences, combining flashbacks and parallel story lines is worthy of the same directorial credit given to Christopher Nolan for his 'Memento' and 'Inception'. The translation of the story from the written page to the vision that is gifted to the viewer is as perfect, one might imagine, as the music of Beethoven's complex mind as played out on a grand piano with all the subtlety and like his music, without any flaws.

Last, the technical processing of the film- from the photography, to the lighting, to the editing, deserves a film enthusiast's highest recognition and honor. Alternating changes in frame speed, various filter applications, and creative angling (see car crash, see fight sequences, see incubi eyes, etc.) envelop the movie seamlessly with just about every trick in the photographer's play-book. Moreover, this banquet of camera work is so much at the very top of professionalism; the viewer never feels that it's an academic display of the photographer's knowledge. Just as well done was the lighting- soft edges frame intense memories and dreams, flickering of lighted panels give the viewer a palpable other-worldliness that the script requires, and the interplay between over-exposure and shadow is masterful. The editing was perfectly executed as well. Every snippet of extraneous footage has been left on the cutting floor where it belongs, leaving a tightly wrapped film with creatively mixes sequences that keep the movie ever flowing and never veering off course.

The fact that this movie was constructed on a budget is obvious because of the types of props that have been used, and because the actors are relatively unknown, and while very talented, are more theatrical that what might be customary in film. But don't let that throw you- this is a film that requires theater. Despite its middle class pedigree, this is a world class case study on brilliant film making. I for one will be following the careers of the crew, because it's obvious to this reviewer that they'll each have a long and prosperous career in film making. Bravo.