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No, I don't agree at all.

Posted by Harmonia (A) on January 9, 2011 at 16:41:49

In Reply to: They frankly pale in comparison to Mexican filmmakers, let alone others around the world NT posted by Jazz Inmate on January 9, 2011 at 13:33:25:

I adore Cuaron, Del Toro and Inarritu, the "Three Amigos" (although Inarritu is really beginning to grate, the first two remain firm favorites), and there's no denying the surge of Mexican films from the 1990s forward, including films from directors like Arau, Navaro, Reygedas and others I'm not familiar with. There's a strong hispanic tide of excellence in filmmaking in the last 10 years all over the globe, especially if you throw in South American and Spanish cinema.

But such a phenomenon is not limited to Mexico or hispania: many world cinemas are thriving, at least creatively speaking, and Iran's would certainly have to be included among that number by any serious cinephile.

I have to agree with Tin that Iranian cinema has been very strong in the last 20 years and can hold its own anywhere. In fact, so strong is recent Persian cinema that there is a legitimate "Iranian New Wave" (as Tin mentions) that is discussed, enjoyed and revered by critics and fans world wide. These directors are *famous*, although they aren't exactly popular in US multiplexes. These folks don't pale in comparison to anyone.

BTW, have you actually seen any of these filmmaker's works?One or two, none? You miss Persepolis?

Kiarostami is a great filmmaker by anyone's standards - A Taste Of Cherry and The Wind Will Carry Us alone guarantee that. His style (open ended and eliptical) may not be your cuppa but he is a master.

Majid helmed the Oscar nomminated feature Children Of Heaven, which is delightful by anyone's definition, and the very moving The Color Of Paradise, which also won a slew of awards. These are two of the best films about children made anywhere anytime. Color Of Paradise is stunning in its emotional intensity and understated beauty - it's the equal of Truffaut's 400 Blows or Erce's Spirit of The Beehive...it's that good.

Jafa Panahi is not only a superb filmmaker (e.g. The White Balloon, The Circle, Offside, which are all excellent), he walks the walk. The mullahs accused Panahi of making propaganda and inciting protests during the last, disputed presidential elelections. Arrested earlier in the year, Panahi was recently sentenced to six years in jail, along with a 20 year ban on making or directing any movies, writing screenplays, leaving the country or giving interviews to the media. His real crime was to support of the defeated opposing progressive candidate, Mirhossein Mousavi, in that last election.

Panahi went on a hunger strike earlier in the year in . It's no coincidence the regime came down hard on one of Iran's most celebrated filmmakers - no doubt they intend to make an example of him, along with filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, a colleague arrested at the same time and who received the same sentence. They intend to send a message to the nation's artists: if we can do this to a world famous director, imagine what we can do to you.

Filmmakers world wide have rallied to his cause, among them Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Ang Lee and Oliver Stone. Meanwhile Panahi has said he will not attempt to flee - he proudly proclaims he is an Iranian and he intends to stay in Iran and go to prison in protest against his oppressors. Panahi is not just a great director, he's an incredibly brave person and a cultural hero. So do him the favor of watching one of his movies.

In fact, I challenge you to watch any of several of the above mentioned films, along with Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis, and then you can come back here tell me 'n Tin we're all wet and Iran's cinema does pale in comparison to Mexico's. If you still feel that way. I bet you won't.

Edits: 01/09/11

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