Practical Entrepreneur

On Tuesday, I watched ماهی ها آشق می شوند (The Fish Fall in Love), the only Iranian film that I have chosen to see in this year’s festival (out of the four). And I sure am glad I chose this one. The film is about a man, Aziz, returning to his hometown for the first time in 25 years, who finds that his former family home is now a thriving restaurant run by four spirited, independent women, one of whom is a former lover.

Through the film the director creates a very good balance between unfolding what has happened in the past and what is transpiring right now all while creating parallels between the lives of a mother and daughter. I thought the timeline play was very clever.

Mr. Raffi (the director) taps a few veterans of Iranian cinema with the most notable Reza Kianian playing lead male role of Aziz and the cast really delivers. The acting feels very natural and the natural beauty of Iran’s north as the backdrop really adds to the draw of the film.

With the story playing out in a restaurant, this film is like a very well choreographed dance of beautiful (and I am sure tasty) Iranian dishes. I am sure I was not the only person interested in getting a taste, as I was hearing sighs from the audience. (MBA thought: This could have been a perfect opportunity for a cross promotion with one of the local Iranian restaurants – only if they got it!)

The director leaves as much as possible to your imagination. It was amazing to overhear the discussions after the screening where each person was defending of that they thought really happened at the end and justifying it by clues they picked up along the way. I loved it…

Possible bias: I think I liked the story so much because I am starting to relate to what it might feel like when you go back to what used to be your home after an extended leave. I haven’t been out of Iran as long as Aziz seems to have been (20 odd years), but still feel some of the same emotions. What does it mean to you when you go back to your hometown and none of your loved ones are there anymore. When you haven’t spoken to your old friends for years. What do you say now when you meet them?

PS:Kim Voynar at Cinematical has a round up of bloggers writing about SIFF. She was kind enough to reference my reviews as well. I guess someone is reading them after all . Thanks for the break Kim.