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Jafar Panahi
White Balloon (1995)
Mirror (1997)
Deyereh/The Circle (2000)
Talaye Sorkh/ Crimson Gold (2003), written by Abbas Kiarostami,
is a crime drama about the trauma caused in a simple-minded detached observer
by the wealth and decadence of a changing society.
The theme is a little old-fashioned,
but the setting is original enough to grant it yet another life.
A big man robs a jewelry store. The camera stares through the door at a
motorcyclist waiting outside, while we hear the voices of the robber and of
the store owner. A car parks in front of the store and a woman walks out of it
and into the store. She screams, Hussein (the robber) shoots. The alarm goes
off and the gate closes automatically, trapping Hussein inside. A small crowd
of onlookers form outside while they wait for the police. Hussein demolishes
the store and then shoots himself.
A flashback shows Hussein and his friend Ali, whose sister is promised to
Hussein. They are both pizza delivery boys, tempted by crime. Ali has just
found a purse and they sit at a cafe to examine it. The only thing they find
inside is a golden ring and a receipt for an expensive necklace.
A middle-aged man sits at their table and gives them
professional advice about becoming pickpockets.
Following the address on the receipt, the two friends walk to a jewelry store,
but they are not even admitted inside. Clearly, they don't look like rich
customers. The owner sends them to the bazaar. Hussein is offended.
Hussein is a good man, but his brain is a little slow. His boss complains with
Ali that Hussein's performance is low. Hussein delivers a pizza to a wealthy
man, who doesn't recognize him, but they used to be in the war together.
Now one is
wealthy and the other one delivers pizzas. Another delivery fails because
the police have surrounded the building and they stop Hussein. There is a
party at the second floor and the police want to arrest all the young people
who go in or come out. Hussein insists that he needs to do his job, but the
chief tells him to sit down. Hussein sees several young people arrested and
chats with one of the soldiers. They can hear the music, and they can see
the shapes of the people dancing at the second floor. Hussein, bored, decides
to offer the pizza to the officers.
Hussein and his fiance' dress up and, accompanied by Ali, visit the jewelry
store to buy a necklace for the wedding. The store clerk lets them in,
and they spend some time looking at the various items. The store owner doesn't
even recognize them, as he is busy with some very rich customers. When he
finally turns to them, he humiliates them again: he tells them to go to the
bazaar where they can find cheaper deals. Hussein almost faints. He rides back
home without saying a word. His fiance' is afraid that she caused the
embarassment, but he was offended by the store owner.
Hussein lives in a small room. He is not young anymore, and has a simple life.
He never smiles.
One of the delivery boys is struck by a car. Hussein and Ali see his damaged and
motorcycle and the blood on the asphalt. Hussein is on his way to a high-rise
building of luxury apartments.
The customer is a rich young man, son of American emigrants, who is
lonely after his girlfriend and a friend of hers left abruptly.
The young man invites Hussein
to join him and eat the pizzas with him. In return, he only asks for Hussein
to listen to him. When his girlfriend calls, the young man forgets about his
guest and starts talking at length to her. Hussein drinks alcohol and wanders
around the house, the pool, the gym, the terrace.
Morning. The camera inside the jewelry store stares outside as the store owner
opens the gate and as the two friends arrive on a motorcycle.
Ali waits outside, while Hussein surprises the store owner.
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