Sous la peau de la ville

A well made, rather sad story about a traditional Iranian family having to confront the intrusions of the Modern era - represented by the realtor's greed and the young man's heroin addiction. The film-makers do not shy away from the fact that the current regime can only address these issues with dictates derived from sharia (muslim civil law), and that this does not yet - at least not yet as so far interpreted - provide solutions the characters can live with. Perhaps it will one day - the film-makers (wisely, I think) leave that matter open.

What we are left with here are very human, even painfully human, characters with all the problems humans confront everywhere on a daily basis - providing house and home to one's family; dealing with failed ambition and disappointed expectations; learning to live with a multitude of human weaknesses.

Gee, don't they sound like many Americans? And these are the people that George Bush wants destroyed? Well, never mind the big Texas yo-yo - fools are plentiful and, thankfully, shortlived.

The use of HDTV camera and the cramped spaces of the sets used (apparently real homes after all), may jar a little; but the passion - and honesty - behind the film is clear, and highly welcome. Also, of course, one can't say enough good about the acting here, it is all top notch.

A brilliant and insightful little film that more Americans need to witness.

This film is an excellent realist analysis of contemporary Iranian society, far removed from all the political cliché's that an uninformed Western audience might expect.

It gives you an acute sense of how it is to live in the oppressive society that Iran reveals itself to be, where especially women have nothing to hope for, and men and women alike have little economic prospect. The characters are played more than convincingly, plot is tight, in spite of following events in the lives of different members of the central family. Style is sober and direct but very efficient, and in the end hits you like an uppercut.

Certainly no entertainment, but one more striking example of the vitality of Iranian contemporary film.

I was pretty amazed when I watched this film because it was a brave look at some of the social problems a particular family has in Iran. There are several instances of spousal and child abuse in the film and although the lead character takes a fatalistic view, several of her children are enraged by it. I really enjoyed watching their daughter slug the neighbor who had been abusing her best friend--it really felt quite satisfying to watch. In addition, there are several societal problems (under-employment, the black market, etc.) that are discussed as well. I am really quite surprised that a movie coming out of Iran would take such a risk. Because of this, it is definitely worth a look.

This movie is not nearly as "pretty" as the fabulous Iranian films THE COLOR OF PARADISE or CHILDREN OF HEAVEN, but it helps to give a very different view of urban Iranian life.