No. 47 (2022) A HERO (GHAHREMAN) June 17th.

 

Film No. 47 (2022)  June  17th.  1.20 PM   Cinema 6.  LUNA,  Leederville.

 

"Don't do anything that would disgrace you and the family for ever". (Rahim's sister and most beloved family ally places her brother's immediate dilemma squarely at his feet).

The reason I most enjoy film is because of the passport it offers into a world where the life, morals and values of other cultures give insight. A HERO offers a window into Iranian life, and Asghar Farhadi (A SEPARATION, THE SALESMAN) is without doubt my go to director, when it comes to life in Iran. His script and images stem from having a sharp eye on sociological implications of everyday people caught, generally, in domestic stress.

Memento International Films had a deal negotiated for them so Amazon Studios could take on the rights to sell and distribute, A HERO. Farhadi became quite the hero for the mega studio in 2016 with his Academy Award winning, THE SALESMAN. It makes sense Amazon would continue to back these small but substantial stories from an often misunderstood Iranian culture. Streaming now allows everyone access to these stories. Stories which previously were reserved for Arthouse cinematic releases.

So will, A HERO, get the audience it deserves? I hope so because it does deserve it.

We meet Rahim (Amir Jadidi) as he leaves prison. It becomes obvious his release is temporary; two days in fact. He is a man on a mission. He can be freed if a debt he owes is either paid back or his debtor shows him compassion. He has a secret lover who can help. She has gold which covers half the debt, but the method by which she acquired the gold leads to complications. His debtor, once compliant, has been burnt. He is not interested in negotiation. Every character, on face value, has a point here. Our allegiances wax and wane as new information emerges about past deeds. Rahim is our hero, but this mess could have been avoided. Ultimately his greatest decisions will come from what he sleeps most easily with. Decisions of conscience.  

If in the hands of Hollywood, perhaps A HERO gets the "happy ending" treatment. The realism Farhadi creates here is not escapism, the warm feeling we get as the screen turns to black revolves around how Rahim will live with himself from that day on, as both a future husband and more importantly as a father; not because he will be happy in a life ever after!  10GUMS.