An History of Violence
As always, I leaned towards "Crimson Gold" with caution. Dozens of reviews told me that this film is excellent and that I should not even worry about the possibility of an overrated mess. Even when I know that some pundits are generally right, I still feel the lack of that overprotective marketing machine that covers us with millions spent in advertising for a mindless summer blockbuster. But I said to myself, lets watch some minutes, and if your mood today is not up to the task, we'll let this film for a later date. And then "Crimson Gold" started.

The first scene is nothing short of masterful, gripping the viewer into a tense stare of an unstoppable downwards situation. Hussein, the low-class pizza delivery-man, is trying to assault the smug jewelry store manager. As Hussein bland his weapon from side to side, we fear for the jeweler as we strangely (because we don't know him yet) fear for him. The way in which he talks and the way in which the jeweler resists transports the viewer immediately to all those terrible assault denouements in crime-ridden cities around the world.

From there, we go back with Hussein to the lasts days of his journey, observing how the pizza man travels the roads between class divisions in Iran, controlled also by the morality police. Each episode brings him closer to the realization of his place in society. Is not that he did not know that he was poor, but by comparison with other people, he (and we) come to the conclusion that only a desperate act can extricate yourself from indignity. Hussein is far from being alone, and is loved by everyone around him. Everyone in his class, of course. It takes one slight act of disdain from the jeweler, a man that seems to think that he is above Hussein, to start the slow fire that will make his blood boil.

The last episode is frightening and coherent. Hussein is invited by a rich lad that came back from the US to eat with him in his apartment. But what apartment! From room to room, Hussein discovers all the luxuries he is denied, luxuries that are owned by people that are not even interested in enjoying them, and leave Hussein and his friends to deteriorate under a theocracy that could care less, except to forbid all kinds of life enjoyment (that yes, are related to activities shared with the opposite sex). And I still found myself frighten of Hussein, of a change in temper that would make him steal something to this guy or something worst (thus confirming the view of his class as a bunch of criminals). After all, Hussein received a masterclass in thievery earlier on.

But as his teacher in that conversation said: "If you want to arrest a thief, you'll have to arrest the world". Who is the thief in this story? As Hussein seems to have been robbed of his life, that question does not have an obvious answer.

The silent crumbling !

This is a very zealous exploration of the human soul through the times and lives of two misfits, who work out as pizza's delivers, one of them is at the eve to be married with the sister of his partner.

At the moment he intends to buy for his fiancée a reckless and a wedding's ring in a very expensive jewelry, he will experience in own flesh the bitter meaning to belong to a social class that has nothing to do with these caprices.

Slow and progressively, he will develop a scrupulous gaze around his environment, the tense silence and the expression of his face forecast bad times to come.

If Taxi driver ignited the screen thirty one years ago about a surreptitious underworld behind the well known landscapes for tourists, this movie is very close in spirit respect Taxi.

A movie that deserves and demands from you top pay whole attention because of the fact the theatrical stages (there is a lot of fixed images) and elusive dialogues so require it. But at the end the effort is rewarding.

A Fantastic Masterpiece Of Cinema!
I first saw this film a couple of years ago on a whim. I have not seen very many films from the Middle East, however, the ones I have seen have been very good. This film captured me, and pulled me right in. It may not appeal to many viewers whose idea of films are lots of action and gore. But for those viewers who like films about life and drama: and life in particular, this is one great film not to be missed. The story unfolds about the life of one individual named Hussein (Hossain Emadeddin). He is a veteran of the Iran/Irag war. A bloody war which many historians have called the 'trench warfare' of the late 20th century. Not since WWI was there such a slaughter between two armies in the trenches. Hussein is a survivor of this war. And he is now a disillusioned veteran who delivers pizza's for a living: And for Hussein, as a pizza deliveryman handing out pizzas in neighborhoods he will never live in, due to his social status, life for him will take a very sad detour.

Moreover, Hussein, a heavy set man, is also undergoing cortisone shots for his war injuries. His best friend is named Ali (Kamyar Sheissi), and it is Ali's sister that Hussein is engaged to be married to. However, Ali is a petty thief. During one of Ali's purse snatchings however, he comes across a receipt for an expensive necklace. They both decide to visit the store, however, the both feel resentment when the store owner refuses to allow them in due to their attire. Seeing the way the store owner caters to the other rich clients, and his wariness of these two poorer men, they both seethe with inner resentment. A resentment which will only deepen as the film progresses: Eventually leading to Hussein attempting to rob the store.

But what really pushes Hussein over the edge in robbing the store, is when he is treated indifferent by the police while delivering pizzas. Moreover, the final nail is when he delivers pizzas to a rich customer at a penthouse. The occupant of the penthouse is visiting Iran, whose parents happen to be in the USA. Hussein sees the wealth of this upper social class, and feels even greater resentment. The tenant of the building (Pourang Nakaheal) gives a good performance as one who is used to good things. When Hussein walks about the penthouse he is amazed at what he sees. A life he will never know, yet longs for. While sitting on the roof, he sees a beautiful swimming pool, and jumping in, clothes and all, he gazes at the city below. Hussein has been a walking time bomb for quite some time. And it is in part because of the events that unfolded the previous day. This is a great film, and I could not help feeling empathy for Hussein, and the life he lived. A highly recommended film. [Stars: 5+]

The betrayeds of the Revolution
I never receive your film, despite to have seen it in Lisbon.
For any reasons that neither you can explain, the goods have desapear. Some one, who has the some interests than me got my stuff, which mean I payed for the plesure of a german guy or a service man from the Portuguese douane.
Anyway the film is super!

MASTERpiece
If neorealism was Europe's answer to the theme of alienation after WWII then Panahi's style, whatever you may call it, is Iranian cinema's answer to the theme of alienation that has set in almost 3 decades after the revolution and 2 decades after the end of the war.

Be amazed by the fact that if this script (written by Kiarostami) been handed to any other director, it would have been mangled into a giant bore of a film with a centerless plot, but here the skills of an amazing director and a very believable actor create what is perhaps the best movie that has come out of Iran after the revolution. The BEST iranian movie, period.