Gholam

Just saw the film at the Seattle International Film Festival and it was a huge disappointment,to say the least. It was slow, plodding, depressing, confusing and then it was over. Would not recommend it. The cinematography was excellent and the reality of how the people lived inside their poor homes and apartments was interesting. You really felt the loneliness of their lives.

Superbly acted by a leading Iranian actor and skilfully directed by Mitra Tabrizian this is a film to be enjoyed on several levels - most obviously as thriller. But more powerfully as a portrayal of a man who retains his integrity through refusing to engage with others. This is a tricky task and the award winning Hosseini plays it to perfection. He uses a minimum of words but his demeanour conveys all.

My appreciation of the film deepens as I think about what kind of man Gholam is. For undoubtedly he is the very centre of the film. It is not that he shows us how to make or refuse choices. Rather, the enigmatic figure of Gholam opens onto questions of choice and freedom.

Both the director and the actor are to be congratulated. Together they have produced a central character like no other.

The play of Iranian actors, except for Shahab Hosseini, was not interesting at all and had a low level. The rhythm of the movie is very slow and sleepy, and in a way that you get bored and in the end you regret the hour and a half you spent watching this movie. If you tell screenplay to the story of this movie, then I have to congratulate myself because I can write hundreds of screenplays better than this and earn money.

Beautifully shot and atmospheric, the film portrays migrant life in London in a highly authentic way. Gholam is the story about a minicab driver living in London. As the story unfolds the drama is ramped up, and it becomes clear that there is much more to Gholam than meets the eye. Brimming with humanity, this film explores themes such as identity, morality, taking responsibility, and how you can't run from your past.

This Film surprised me in more ways than one. I was shocked to hear this was the Directors first film because it was so well made, and unlike anything I had ever seen. This movie made me think! Although it seems to be following a Iranian in present day. I was able to feel this charecters pains, sufferage, courage and honor all through watching him go through his daily life in present time. The decisions he would make the places he would go we're all a direct reflection of what he had gone through and where he had been as opposed to where he was trying to go.. The End of the Film was so thrilling and exciting it really makes you think! 10/10 for me! Amazing Cinematogrophy and incredible Acting Hope to see more films from this new Director