THERE was one notable absentee from this year’s Oscars. Iranian writer/director Asghar Farhadi, nominated for his film ‘The Salesman’ in the Best Foreign Language category, stayed away in protest at Donald Trump’s travel ban. His film didn’t suffer as a result however, and emerged as the evening’s deserved winner.
The movie tells the story of an Iranian couple, Rana and Emad, who are forced to leave their apartment which is in danger of collapse from building works at an adjoining construction site.
An actor friend, Babak, (all three are starring in a remake of ‘Death of a Salesman’) offers his spare flat as a favour, but it seems the previous tenant moved out in a hurry and left behind some of her possessions.
It soon transpires that Babak hasn’t told Rana and Emad the full story about who lived there before, and the impact her dodgy dealings may now have on their lives.
Farhadi has form when it comes to both writing and directing, having picked up another foreign language Oscar for his 2011 film, ‘A Separation’. Starring in that movie was Shahab Hosseini, who also features here as Emad, and his performance is truly superb.
The story is beautifully structured to build tension, conflict and drama, keeping you guessing until late into the film’s 125 minutes, just how it will all end. ‘A Separation’, as its name suggests, dealt with a couple falling apart under stress, and there are similar themes at play here.
Farhadi seems to be able to take seemingly small stories and develop them to great dramatic effect, something that seems easy to do but isn’t.
‘The Salesman’ obviously isn’t your typical Hollywood blockbuster, and Iranian cinema may not be top of your favourites’ list, but if you like gripping drama, well told and wonderfully acted, this is the film for you.
Of course you could always go see ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ instead, but that kind of depends on whether you feel like a McDonald’s or a Filet Mignon.
Go on, treat yourself. We score it an almost perfect, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Paul O’Rourke
