Shab, Dakheli, Divar

Despite all the brutal oppression and strict controls, the Iranian film industry never stops-it continues to expand its horizon impressively.

In a country where the totalitarian regime bans nearly every topic one might want to make a film about, Iranian artists still find a way to reveal the truth about life in Iran. They do so artistically and with extremely limited resources. One must also take into account the heavy state surveillance during filming.

Instead of overt political commentary, Iranian filmmakers tell stories from daily life-about ordinary people, in ordinary moments. They create incredible narratives using the camera as an honest, silent observer.

"Beyond the Wall" is one of those rare gems. All hats must be off to its astonishing script, direction, and acting. I must say, it has one of the most creative scripts I've ever seen. The scenes, the balance of dialogue, the flashbacks, and the dreamlike sequences are all harmonized within the film beautifully.

If you count the number of characters, you'll find only five or six, and most of the plot unfolds in a single location. Yet with such limited resources, it tells an extraordinary story.

For the entire two-hour runtime, Beyond the Wall is a masterclass in filmmaking. It makes you feel what a truly great movie is.

My thoughts on Beyond the Wall 2022.

Oh my goodness. I absolutely loved it! The story was compelling. The acting? Superb. Navid Mohammadzade is a genius indeed. The ending? Shocking. Great plot twist. Great choice of music. It was a little slow at some points but it's definitely worth the patience. I loved the connection between Ali and Leila. I also cherished Ali's character. He was a real hero. Although the characters could have been developed better but still it is easily one of the best Persian movies I have watched in a very long time. Would surely recommend. Go watch it if you haven't already. I promise you that you would enjoy it.

In Vahid Jalilvand's tense and allegorical film, a blind man unexpectedly shelters a fugitive, illustrating the consequences of losing touch with our humanity.

Ali, portrayed by Navid Mohammadzadeh, contemplates suicide until a concierge informs him that a woman evading authorities may be hiding in his building. Unaware, Ali discovers Leila (Diana Habibi), a single mother separated from her son during a workers' protest.

As Leila seeks refuge in Ali's home, both become ensnared in a claustrophobic struggle for survival, revealing the depths of human connection amidst isolation.

Do yourself a favor, don't dig deeper and watch the movie instead.

At the beginning, the film has a strong and uniform structure which, unlike relying on a very limited group of actors, has a broad scope in the story, thus keeping the audience engaged. At the same time, there are issues with the direction of the work stemming from script problems. The film tries to gradually make us understand the reality of what's happening and showcases the separation between the imagination and the reality of the main character of the story, which seems very logical and avoids excessive complexity. Midway through the script, we reach a point where this separation has fully occurred for the audience, and almost the reality of the story, albeit without details, has disappeared. This becomes a problem for the script when, after this event, the director still tries to conceal the reality from the audience, showing a lack of mastery in understanding the story by the public.

Navid Mohammadzadeh's performance is very brilliant, tender, precise, and respectful of details, to the extent that in his particular emotional situation, one even forgets he is myopic. Additionally, the brilliant and impeccable interpretation of the main female role in the film cannot be easily overlooked. The subtleties and details that bring us closer to the reality of the story in the script are amazing, such as the scenes from the surveillance camera, the state of the house floor, and the room window. Despite the brutal nature of the story, watching this film will offer the audience a tender experience. Congratulations to the directing team and the talented cast of this work.

"Beyond the Wall" stands out in today's movie market. The film focuses on a visually impaired man living alone in a rundown apartment until he meets a woman fleeing from authorities. Once you hear "authorities," you truly understand its impact, especially if you've experienced life under oppressive regimes like Iran's. That might be why people under dictatorship feel closer to the characters.

The director, who also edited the film, skillfully maintains a simple storyline without unnecessary cuts, making the narrative easy to follow. As the story unfolds, viewers gradually understand the significance of objects, characters, and mysterious letters.

Trust me, "Beyond the Wall" is a satisfying watch that will stay with you.