Gholam

This is the first feature-film by the acclaimed photographer Mitra Tabrizian. Set in the unfamiliar world of the Iranian community in London, it's a tense, slow-burn thriller featuring Cannes-award-winning actor Shahab Hosseini ('The Salesman', 'A Separation') as an ex-soldier sought out by two secretive Persians for a clandestine mission.

Hosseini's character, Gholam, works at night as a cab driver and, without wishing to give too much away, the film shares a further intriguing connection with Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver' in the way that Gholam becomes more interested in getting involved in a complete stranger's plight, rather than taking up the cause of his fellow countrymen. In this way, the film deals with existential issues around what's worth living for, dying for and killing for, making it reach out to viewers way beyond its Iranian context.

The mood of It brings to mind the cool, detached style of the films of Jean-Pierre Melville, such as 'Le Samurai'. Hosseini is a mesmerizing presence as always – he's one of those actors who can convey so much with just a look. It's beautifully photographed and it slowly grips you in a web of despair and atonement. It's an assured debut from Tabrizian who joins the growing ranks of artists making the move into cinema. It'll be fascinating to see where she goes from here.

"Gholam" makes Scorsese's "Taxi Driver" feel like all the 'Die Hard' films rolled into one. This minimalist, miserable British picture, the first feature for its director, is about an Iranian cab driver in London trying to forget his revolutionary past. However, unlike Travis Bickle, Gholam wants to avoid trouble but it comes looking for him nevertheless. A 'thriller' in only the most tenuous sense of the word, it is rather a character study given considerable clout by Shahab Hosseini's performance in the title role. Hosseini is virtually never off the screen and his charismatic presence lifts what is basically a cliche-ridden tale. It also might have helped if we could have read the subtitles which are small, white and often printed on white backgrounds. Whatever else "Gholam" is, it's an appalling job of sub-titling.

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

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.