Modern Art
AFS's contemporary Iranian cinema
By Marjorie Baumgarten, Fri., April 9, 2004
The Iranian cinema of the past several years has grown into one of the most interesting, creative, and internationally embraced art forms. Although the artistic restrictions that were a byproduct of the Islamic revolution of 1979 caused great setbacks to the industry's growth, recent years have witnessed a resurgence of activity and the creation of films that have received international acclaim at film festivals and arthouses throughout the world. This despite the fact that some Iranian films were not allowed to screen for audiences in their home country, or their directors were denied exit visas to travel with their films on the world circuit.
As a national cinema, Iranian films are identifiable by their exploration of conflicts between traditions and modern values. Also, these films tend to have strong metaphorical and poetic underpinnings – partly as efforts to escape the censor's knife, but also as part of an ancient tradition of storytelling that focuses attention on the human experience and cycle of life.
The seven films in this new Austin Film Society series represent the work of four contemporary Iranian directors. There are two films each from the country's most famous filmmakers: Abbas Kiarostami, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, and Jafar Panahi, and one by Dariush Mehrjui. Gone, for the most part, are the metaphorical stories in which children's dilemmas substitute for those of a repressed adult population. The films in this series show us modern Iranians: men and women who struggle with their allegiances to the past and their hopes for the future; adult takes on love, marriage, and parenthood; and the toll on human beings of a theocratic patriarchy.
The Austin Film Society's Contemporary Iranian Cinema will have screenings on Tuesdays from April 13 through May 25. Admission is free for current AFS members or new members signing up by phone or at the venue, and tickets can be reserved at 322-0145. Admission for nonmembers is $4. See www.austinfilm.org/screenings/iranian cinema.asp for more information.
Tuesday, April 13, 7pm,
Alamo Drafthouse Village
Taste of Cherry (Ta'm e guilass)
D: Abbas Kiarostami, 1997April 20, 7pm,
Alamo Drafthouse Village
The Silence (Sokout)
D: Mohsen Makhmalbaf, 1998April 27, 7pm,
Alamo Drafthouse Village
Ten
D: Abbas Kiarostami, 2002May 4, 7pm,
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown
A Moment of Innocence (Nun va Goldoon)
D: Mohsen Makhmalbaf, 1996May 11, 7pm,
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown
The Circle (Dayereh)
D: Jafar Panahi, 2000May 18, 7pm,
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown
Leila
D: Dariush Mehrjui, 1996May 25, 7pm,
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown
Crimson Gold (Talaye sorgh)
D: Jafar Panahi, 2003
