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In life, we are all called upon to make ethical decisions. In Iran, if you are a man—a military conscript, or even a certain functionary—you might be called upon to execute a fellow citizen convicted of some crime or another. Refusing to “pull out the chair,” as it is described, will render you an exile in your own country. Mohammad Rasoulof’s searing new film tells of four men and their decisions: an appealingly put-upon family guy; a frightened new conscript; another soldier, on leave to woo his intended; and a doctor practicing in the hinterlands. Capital punishment looms over Iranian life; clearly these people deserve better. One of Iran’s greatest living filmmakers, Rasoulof (A Man of Integrity), is banned from making feature films; hence this film’s structure: four short tales, seamed together for export. It works powerfully. And if it keeps Rasoulof safe, more power to him.—Judy Bloch

 

In Persian with English subtitles

  • Year
    2020
  • Runtime
    151 min
  • Language
    Farsi
  • Country
    Iran
  • Director
    Mohammad Rasoulof