Adversaire

This movie have many layers. The move is an intense psychological drama that deals with masculinity, intimacy and violence, themes that have completely different meanings in a country like Iran than they do in a country like Sweden. After a devastating rumor spreads about him in Iran, Imam is forced to leave everything behind and start over in Sweden, together with his family. But his past refuses to let him go. This is a movie from the very talented director Milad Alami. He tells the story very beautifully and the cast is very good. Talented actors, especially Peyman Moaadi. I can really really this movie and I hope it gets the recognition the film so well deserves.

"Iman" (Payman Maadi) and his family are living in a Swedish hostel awaiting a decision on their refugee application. Wife "Maryam" (Marall Nasiri) is expecting a baby which is quite a surprise given the two aren't exactly loved-up! Their initial application has been rejected so they must appeal. He comes across as a decent, hard working man and before he took a job delivering pizzas in all weathers, he was a part of the Iranian wrestling team at the Rio Olympiad. He reckons that if he joins a local team, it might earn them some extra brownie points with the immigration authorities. She's less than impressed with this decision, and as he plays more of a part with the team and befriends "Thomas" (Björn Elgerd) we begin to piece together a jigsaw that explains a bit of their hasty flight from home, their strained marriage and the current conflict that neither he nor she can see an easy way out of. On some levels, this works quite well - but there are just too many plot holes and the story evolves in all too bitty a fashion. It doesn't address the elephant in the room directly, but leaves us to make our own assumptions before it ends unsatisfactorily and incompletely. It has a point to make, it just doesn't really make it very forcefully or memorably. It does make you realise just how physical wrestling is, though, but otherwise rather disappoints.

"Opponent" struggles with emotional depth, uneven pacing, superficial exploration of queerness, underdeveloped supporting characters, and underutilization of its eerie setting despite promising ingredients.

The film's twists are telegraphed early on, robbing them of impact. Viewers familiar with the genre will see them coming, and the lack of surprise undermines the tension.

Despite Payman Maadi's strong performance, the film fails to deliver impactful storytelling, leaving viewers disappointed and yearning for more depth and nuance.

On a positive note, the snowbound landscapes of northern Sweden create an eerie backdrop. However, the film doesn't fully capitalize on this setting. The cinematography hints at something more profound, but it never fully materializes.

Interesting story with two amazing actors. The plot seems to be focused on Iman's dilemma (to come out or not to come out) but is also entails many powerful topics such as the nostalgia for the country you had to flee, the psychological violence of the process of seeking asylum in Sweden, the duty to be a flawless head of family, the homoeroticism of wrestling, and living between two distinct languages, landscapes and cultures.

The Swedish winter is both beautiful and threatening, it might be more than a season but rather the ultimate test for Iman: will he be granted asylum, will he and his family switch from trauma to a renaissance? The presence of the wolf reminds us than there is always obstacles, and than you might be your own worst opponent.

This film as also feminist through the resilience and dignity of Iman's wife, Maryam, who precisely does not want to become somebody's domestic housewife, but wants to enjoy her own slice of agency and happiness. She knows how to read an open secret and she knows she deserves more than a life of sacrifice and shame.

Both Iman and Maryam derserve a much better life, but can they achieve it together? What happens when you find the strength to choose the path to authenticity?

A very touching, complex, humanist film.

The acting is good, there's no doubt about that, and the whole film has atmosphere and mood throughout, enough to keep us watching for the whole two hours.

The frustating thing is that the story isn't really told, it's only hinted at in vague terms, so it felt like and opportunity missed.

There are a few reviews here giving it top marks and calling it landmark cinema, but often film makers fall for the temptation of coming here to try and pump up theor movie with top notch reviews. In this case, they've also come back to upvote all their reviews and downvote the real ones, and I expect this review to get the same treatment. It's a shame, it would be so much better to let it find its own audience.