Film No. 50 (2015) Tehran Taxi. July 12th.

Film No. 50 (2015) July 12th.  6.00 PM LUNA SX Fremantle. 

"So we are working together, hah?" (Asks Panahi of an eccentric character selling bootleg DVD's from a knapsack while seated next to him (Panahi) in the front of his taxi) 

 

Tehran Taxi.

Jafar Panahi is back with yet another groundbreaking film. And while the film itself sets new ground in story telling the fact that this is Panahi's third film since being banned from making films in his native land (Iran) is the most astonishing thing. Oh and I forgot to mention, he won the Golden Bear (Berlin Film Festival) for this "small gem" but he couldn't accept the award personally as he is unable to leave Iran. 

Taxi (as it is better known worldwide) provides a lighter-hearted view by Panahi as he further reveals the way censorship acts as a suffocating blanket. He does this by presenting a range of his native citizens in the best vehicle possible, a taxi. It is such a great idea, told as a piece of fiction but in such real terms.

I have heard and read so much of the legend of Panahi. To drive with him through the streets of Tehran gave a film lover like myself a chance to meet and observe this humble and understated man. We watch him quietly solve the dilemma of stranded goldfish for two self centred women. Then we listen in silence with him as an ex neighbour describes how he was mugged but was loath to do anything about it because of the possible execution which would befall the perpetrator. Every character presents a conundrum caused by the repression so omnipresent in their society.

And all of this vision was taken on a couple of High Definition security cameras mounted within the taxi. It's fitting that the most personal vignette of the film takes place in the last 20 minutes. Panahi's niece (his actual niece) brings the most basic digital camera to his side as she attempts to make her own film; part of a school assignment. It is a special sequence, not to be missed. My understanding is that this intelligent young lady collected The Golden Bear for her uncle in Berlin in February. Very fitting, I say!  10GUMS.