Bitter Dream
(Khab e talkh)
by Mohsen Amiryoussefi
Iran
Script: M. Amiryoussefi
Cinematographer: Bayram Fazli
Editing: M. Amiryoussefi
Sound: H. Ghourchian
Cast: Abbas Esfandiari, Delbar Ghasri, Mohsen Rahimi, Safar-Ali Safari, Yadollah Anvari
Production: Touba Film, Documentary and Experimental Film Center
Distribution:
Les Films du Paradoxe
BP 47
92270 Bois Colombes
France
Tel: 0033 1.46.49.33.33
Fax: 0033 1.46.49.32.23
Mail: [email protected]
www.filmsduparadoxe.com
Year: 2004
35 mm, Colour, 87 min,
OV Farsi with French Subtitles
Directors' Fortnight - Cannes Film Festival 2004
Esfandiar cleans dead bodies and reigns over the small world of the cemetery of Khomeyni Chahr, a small city in central Iran. Without the slightest regard for his subordinates, he overwhelms them with his bad temper. Surrounded by an exploited woman cleaning the dead bodies, an incompetent trainee, an opium addicted gravedigger and a nostalgic doctor, he rigorously supervises his graveyard.
Death is a serious matter! This is all the more true that one day, after having a feeling of faintness, he realises he too might be mortal. Suddenly, Esfandir sees his name next on the list and starts a frantic campaign for reconciliation and redemption. Not so easy!
"In Iran, we live in an environment where death is apparently more concrete than life. This is why I decided to use the sense of humour, the far most free and efficient weapon." Mohsen Amiryoussefi
Bitter Dream was initially a documentary on the preparation of dead bodies. The feature film probes into the taboo of death with humour.
