Films/DVD Asylum

"3 Faces:" Yet another excellent film from Jafar Panahi!

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Beautiful and talented Leila Hatami (as good an actress as is working these days: "A Separation," "Leila," "The Deserted Station") portrays a successful and well-known actress that receives a disturbing video: a young woman films herself committing suicide in protest against the forces allied against her pursuing her dreams of becoming an actress. She sent it to the actress partly because she was frustrated at having earlier having asked for help--- and not receiving a reply.

Deeply disturbed by this, the actress recruits a director (the Iranian director himself who officially is banned from making films, Jafar Panahi; this film supposedly is a documentary---- to get around the ban, but it obviously has fictional content) to take her to the village. All attempts to get information from the tiny village, hidden in a high mountain valley, fail.

A constant theme in Irainian film is the collision between villagers and city folk. This film cleverly shows that what each side thinks of the other isn't as clear as they assume.

If you're curious about other cultures, enjoy a slow-burn thriller, appreciate understated and beautiful cinematography, and are fascinated by skilled acting--- you won't be disappointed on any level.

Easily a top-10 of the year. I saw it on the Criterion Channel but I've seen it listed on Kanopy and Prime.

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