TIFF - Day 2

Day 2
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Day break - Hamid Rahmanian link
Firday Sep 9 - 9:00 PM VARSITY
This movie was probably the best Iranian movie i saw this year, thanks to it's professenial documentry style and directing, well acted, well shot and well scored (David Bergeaud).
it was a stand-out movie among all the other Iranian movies i sa this year, maybe because hamid rahmanian's style is more like the american indies than their Iranian counterparts (he's studied at Pratt Institute in New York).
the plot invloves a man who's awaiting his execution , because of a murder he commited (during a brawl with his boss) and the hell of a life he's living in until his sentance is executed, the victim's family do not show up for 3 times and the fourth time the movie kind of ends with no definite conclusion to his fate.
a risky subject to work with, but the professinalism of Mr. Rahmanian is stunning, specially the performance of Hossien Yari (the protagonist) was amazing. it was some times brutal to watch (specially the tormenting moments of waiting to be executed). overall the movie and script had been well directed, one could exerience the hole agony and torture that the main character was going through, and as opposed to the usual sentimentalism of Iranian movies, the director has been able to maintain a balance, between drama and documentary. the photogrophy was excellent (both the hand held digital and the long shot scenes of nothern iran).
i think Mr. Yari has outdone himself in this movie, i'd never seen such an powerful performance from him before.
according to Mr. Rahmanian 60% of the families usually forgive the accused prisioners and 40% dont which they have to pay for his/her blood money and execute them, themselves (by kicking the bench under the prisoner, the hang them) which -as someone cleverly mentioned from the audience- is still higher than the state of Texas!!!
i'm not sure if Mr. Rahmanian would be able to screen the movie , as is, in Iran and i'm hoping he won't have to go through any censorship or adjustments.
i strongly recommend this movie, to anyone who has the guts to watch a powerful emotional rollercaoster movie about faith, destiny, justice and forgiveness.