SYNOPSIS:
Threaten by a deadly disease, Yussef, a blind university
professor goes to Paris for treatment. Before he leaves, he
makes a pledge to God, asking that his life is spared. During
his trip, he experiences a life-changing event. Back home,
the confrontation of his memories and the real world unleashes
primal fears and secret desires. The course of events will
bring him to back face to face with another reality.
MOVIE REVIEW:
In my course of work, I’ve had the opportunity to know
a visually handicapped woman who has not seen the world since
the day she was born 33 years ago. After a few days of interviews
and getting to know her daily routines, it made me realize
the gift of sight that most of us has taken for granted. But
the more important thing is how the world is viewed differently
by people who do not have this gift of sight. And maybe that’s
why I could appreciate this Majid Majidi-directed film about
a blind Iranian man.
The
film tells the story of Yussef, a blind university professor
who is diagnosed with a fatal disease and has to get treatment
in France. Through his prayers to God, a miracle happens and
not only does he escape death, he manages to see the world
in full color for the first time. But is this really the life
he has been looking forward to all his life?
Having
a protagonist who is blind in your film easily means that
you can characterize him to be challenged by things we take
for granted every day. And thanks to the support from his
family and friends, he can live his life like any one of us.
The first part of the film paths it way out life this, and
there aren’t much surprises, except for the occasional
touching moments when you wished you had been kinder and open
to the visually handicapped. When the film takes a turn and
Yussef regains his sight, you are drawn into the moving drama
of faith and fear, desire and hope. While there is a strong
religious tone to the 94-minute movie, it’ll also leave
you thinking about profound notions of life and what it is
really all about.
Like
the much talked about goldfish in the final scene of Majidi’s
critically acclaimed The Children of Heaven (1997), this film
has a few striking visual imageries that will stay in your
mind long after the credits have rolled. Whether it’s
the titular willow tree, the crawling ant or the pool Yussef
submerges himself in, Majidi once again shows his impressive
storytelling skills with a few simple yet powerful visuals.
Bringing
the role of Yussef to life is Iranian actor Parviz Parastui,
whose glowing and earnest performance will win over the coldest
of hearts. There is nothing more heartfelt than a powerfully
engaging character who makes you feel his emotions right till
the last scene of the film, and Parastui has done that. And
I’m truly glad that I’ve been able to see this
cinematic experience with my gift of sight.
SPECIAL
FEATURES:
This Code 3 disc contains only a photo gallery of movie stills.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The
visual transfer is decent, and the film is presented in its
original Persian soundtrack.
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING:
Review by John Li
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