Director: Abolfazl Jalili
Script: Abolfazl Jalili
Cinematographer: M. Madj Vaziri
Sound: A. Salehi, G.R. Ghanbari
Cast: Hosein Saki, Z. Barbondi, M. Zadsar, M. Kordi
Production: Marz E. Noor
Distribution:
Les Films du Paradoxe
Year: 1995
35 mm, Color, 66 min, OV Persian with French Subtitles
A group of poor village men live in an unfinished building while they try to scrape together money to send home. Their cooking is done by young Shuan (Hossein Saki) , a morose teenager who seems to work 24 hours a day.
His life changes when his father arrives from the village with his little sister Balut (Zeinab Barbandi), who appears barely conscious. Film records their pilgrimages to doctors and hospitals, seeking a cure for the girl while their meager resources dwindle. When modern medicine fails, Shuan prays for a miracle. He buys a calf, has it slaughtered and distributes parcels of meat to everyone, apparently following indications in the Koran. A miracle occurs.
Abolfazl Jalili, which directed many documentaries and short features for Iranian TV, has also made over 15 long features. Many of them were censored. Det means Girls is still being censored, which is not surprising considering its very realistic and documentaristic approach. The destiny of the girl, which cannot be saved, not even by religion might be a metaphor of Iran itself.
In this beautifully cold movie, the metaphor might seem enough to annoy authorities.
Jalili indulges in some mild experimenting with offscreen sound and extreme closeups, which help offset film’s no-budget look. Choppy editing doesn’t do much for the film’s rhythm, which is sometimes tiresomely repetitive. Jalili, who began his career as a children’s film director, is good at directing the kids in his largely non-pro cast. A little more explanation about local customs and imagery would have made comprehension easier for non-Iranian auds. Popular on Variety Det Means Girl (DET, YANI DOKHTAR) PRODUCTION: (IRANIAN) An Irib Marz-E Noor Co. production. (International sales: Farabi Film Foundation, Tehran.) Produced by I. Alai. Directed, written by Abolfazl Jalili. CREW: Camera (color), Mehdi Majd-Vaziri; editor, Jalili; art direction, Jalili; sound, Ali Salehi, Gholam-Abbas, Ghambari. Reviewed at Venice Film Festival (competing), Aug. 30, 1995. Running time: 86 MIN. WITH: Shuan ... Hossein Saki Balut ... Zeinab Barbandi Father ...Nabi JalilianWith: Adibifar, Bahuan Maroufi. LEAVE A REPLY Want to read more articles like this one? Subscribe to Variety Today. Sponsored Stories The Modern Way To Do Rustic Design The Modern Way To Do Rustic Design Mansion Global Banana Island in Lagos is a Billionaire’s Paradise Banana Island in Lagos is a Billionaire’s Paradise Mansion Global This Smart Gadget Can Overcome All Language Learning Problems In Seconds This Smart Gadget Can Overcome All Language Learning Problems In… Next Tech The Next Iteration of Midcentury Modern Design The Next Iteration of Midcentury Modern Design Mansion Global The Must-Play Fantasy City Building Game this Year The Must-Play Fantasy City Building Game this Year Elvenar Everyone In France Is Going Crazy Over This High Speed Wifi Booster Everyone In France Is Going Crazy Over This High Speed Wifi Booster techdiscountdeals.com Use This Simple Memory Trick to Learn French Up To 50% Faster Use This Simple Memory Trick to Learn French Up To 50% Faster go.onemonthfrench.com You Experienced IT in the 90s If You Know These Relics You Experienced IT in the 90s If You Know These Relics blog.paessler.com 25 Insanely Cool Products From America Finally Here 25 Insanely Cool Products From America Finally Here Next Tech More From Variety ‘The OA’ Canceled After Two Seasons at Netflix Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert and Nicole Byer To Headline 2019 New York Comedy Festival ABC Chief: ‘Little Mermaid’ Live Musical Will Be Disney Plus Launchpad Village Roadshow Developing Movie Based on Comedic Novel ‘A Horse Walks Into a Bar’ Lana Del Rey Gets Witchy with Donovan Cover for Guillermo del Toro Film Concert Review: The Bird and the Bee Do Van Halen, Without Guitars and With Dave Grohl Recommended by Leave a Reply No Comments Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications. Enter your comment here... Most Viewed Tencent in Talks to Buy 10% of Universal Music Group Afton Williamson Identifies 'The Rookie' Guest Star Who Allegedly Harassed Her ABC Chief: 'Little Mermaid' Live Musical Will Be Disney Plus Launchpad
