June 22, 2004

More pix (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

More pix (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Marmoulak has been showing in Inwood theater in Dallas since Friday June 11. It was originally planned to show for a week but apparently it has been extended.  I attended the June 13 show at 7:30 PM and the large theater was almost full to capacity (~500 people). People enjoyed the show and everyone laughed their heads off!

I'm not going to write a full review of this film but there are a couple of things I would like to comment on. 

I think the primary reason for banning the film in Iran may be the way it portrays the relationship between the clergy (Mullahs) and the public. It portrays an questionable and almost brainless following and acceptance of whatever the clergy says on the pulpit (Manbar).

Secondly, I haven't seen many post-revolution movies, but again I noticed that Iranian cinema is still behind the motion picture technology even in the most basic aspects of it like sound quality and titling. You would think that with all the computer and graphics talent in Iran, they could get some cool title graphics in the film that was picked as the best in the Fajr film festival.

Ben Bagheri

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