Man Hastam (J'existe)
Tara Parsa
Switzerland | 2012 | 23 min
World premiere
Language : Arabic
Subtitle : French
Armed with a tape-recorder, the filmmaker roams the streets of Teheran, accosts passers-by and asks them personal questions. The action takes place off camera. The screen is a black background for the words spoken. At first, what they say is evasive, dictated by timidity and fear. But gradually confidence grows and the Iranians’ capacity for debate reveals the hidden thoughts of the nation.
A young Iranian filmmaker roams the streets of Teheran, armed with a tape-recorder and camera. She accosts passers-by and asks them personal questions. The action takes place off camera. The screen is black, and in it the questions asked and answers given appear. Now and again, she also asks permission to take photographs of the people she interviews. Some agree, others refuse. At first, what they say is hesitant and evasive, on both sides, dictated by timidity and fear. Then confidence grows. Their anonymity assured, her fellow citizens speak with frankness and sincerity, and the Iranians’ traditional love of argument reveals the hidden thoughts of the nation. “My film reflects the debate on identity, freedom of expression and the role of art in a society where everything is controlled. How does each of us embody obligations and censorship? Dare we mention that we dare not speak? What part of us hides away under social pressure?” (TP).
Luciano Barisone
Translation BMP Translations