Rather than stifling creativity, these restrictions have often led filmmakers to find innovative ways to tell stories, which makes the cinema scene in Iran unique and, in its own way, rebellious
I also think that’s a big interference with artists creatively. If your under religious and and governmental restrictions. You can’t create the full vision you hope to achieve
The video warns against this view and, with respect, I think it's right to. Panahi, for instance, has certainly found some interesting ways of dealing with the terrible restrictions placed on him, but what might he have done without them? What I find astounding about Iranian cinema is just how much intelligence and sensitivity there is in it. You can comb through arthouse fare from all over the world on a channel like Mubi and not find anything like this from most other countries, including countries with difficult political situations. The one concession I'll make to your argument is that, with low budgets and zero special effects, you're only real hope as a filmmaker is to make the story, or at least the subject matter or imagery compelling, and when you do this, precisely because the material means are limited, the substance hits harder; it's like magic, like alchemy: base matter into gold. But, again, the restriction of a low budget alone doesn't guarantee this outcome, as lots of other cinema also shows. I want to know what it is in Iranian culture, perhaps in its educational system, that manages to produce so many filmmakers able to make such intelligent art. Whatever it is, I strongly suspect it'd be there still without the oppressive regime.
I’ve loved Iranian cinema for years- I think Taste of Cherry was probably my entry point and I’ve still never seen another movie like it- in the years since I fell in love over and over again with movies like Gabbeh, Kandahar, No One Knows About Persian Cats, Through the Olive Trees, Close-Up, The Day I Became a Woman, The Past, and many others that you list here. I hadn’t ever looked into festival programming practices or the history of funding and restrictions. I love how you seamlessly blend these histories with personal commentary with discussions of individual films that you love and want to champion. Excellent essay! Subscribed!
I have recently delved into Iranian cinema and I have absolutely loved Muhammad Rasoulof's movies! "The white meadows" is so exquisite, sad and poetic. I also appreciated Panahi's "The white balloon" very much! It explores childhood in apparently simple yet very deep way. Iranian directors are really intense.
This is an excellent overview of Iranian cinema, i've seen a lot of these movies and i've taken note of a few more recent ones i want to see. Thank you very much :)
I feel so thankful to have found such a delicate video and I hope that you will reach a broader audience over time. As of now, you won yourself a subscriber!
Thanks for this! I grew up in Brazil, and some of the best cinema was produced during the (right-wing) military dictatorship. Artists had to make clever use of metaphors and symbols to get ideas past censorship, which luckily to all of us tends to be pretty narrow-minded and devoid of sensitivity. I love "A Separation" and was very moved by "The Ballad of the White Cow".
@@RcsN505 same during Portuguese dictatorship (but mostly with music, not cinema). If you have any good suggestions for brazilian cinema of a similar kind, please share 😃
Brilliant video essay! You gave a really great contextual setup. And I really enjoyed hearing about your personal feelings about the film “white balloon”. I love you providing the cultural and political context in Iran, and how it’s affected Iranian cinema. So interesting and informative. There are so many films you’ve shown I want to watch now. Like “Leila’s Brothers” (a film that's funny, dramatic, has a strong character ensemble and includes critiques of capitalism and patriarchy sounds right up my alley). This is well edited (great placing and use of clips and text) and has great analysis. Liked and subscribed!
Woow, thank you so much for the amazing feedback and for the sub! And yes, definitely see "Leila's brothers" - besides having so many layers of meaning and critique, it's just such a funny film!
Lovely video. One very small point: in English, 'convoluted' is generally an insult when applied to plotting, implying over-complicated, hard to follow and probably beset by clumsy exposition. In other words, I don't think it's what you meant to say about Farhadi's masterful storytelling. Complex and full of twists, yes, but always clear and interesting.
This was a very well researched video indeed. These movies have a different kind of storytelling to be honest, which always gives a thoughtful experience btw what was the instrumental music you used in the background at the beginning of this video around 55seconds? That really set the vibe!
Thanks so much for your feedback! I think the music you are looking for is this copyright-free track from TH-cam, here's the video: th-cam.com/video/2f1jBAK4pWo/w-d-xo.html
Iranian Cinema: pure 🫶🏽 It’s engrossing in how they can tell stories with artistic simplicity without being didactic or hyperbolic. And in the telling or the showing they encapsulate a tension-a very human tension-that act as eye openers. As someone looking in from the outside: an endotic immersion, it leads to uncovering our own selves, helps us face our human dilemma. Just brilliant stories, brilliant filmmakers, and brilliant actors. You have explained the whole experience of the Iranian Cinema exceptionally simply and beautifully.
Thank you so much for your warm feedback and I couldn't agree more when you wrote "leads to uncovering our own selves, helps us face our human dilemma". It's great to see how touching Iranian cinema can be!
@@elnick1000 I agree Taste of Cherry is not for everyone. Personally, the directors that made me fall in love with Iranian cinema were Jafar Panahi and Asghar Farhadi, I learned how to appreciate Kiarostami later :)
Hello. Im a Texas, United States of America resident. I really want to watch an Iranian "sword and sandal" type movie ("Hussein, Who Said No" (2014) looks really good). I dont have any connection to Iran or her people. How can I see an Iranian film where I live? Thanks for any suggestions you have and good video.
Hi there! I'd really love to be able to help you, but unfortunately I don't know much about that specific genre in Iranian cinema because I think it's mostly distributed to domestic audiences and hardly ever taken to international theatres, so I can't find them with subtitles :( however, since Iran basically does not believe in copyright, you might actually be able to find such films in Aparat, Iran's version of TH-cam (www.aparat.com/) - whether they have subtitles or not, it's another story...but I'm curious about checking out the film you mentioned, because it's interesting to see those kind of mega productions from other countries. Thanks for watching!
Depending where you are from, sometimes you can find some streaming services that have them (especially the most famous ones like A Separation). There are also quite a lot here on TH-cam. But because many films don't make it to mainstream Western audiences, often you just have to find copies online, e.g. via Stremio
I absolutely agree with you. Am a huge fan of Iranian cinema. It amazing how they show us life in Iran despite the severe restrictions imposed on the filmmakers
I think people can like whatever they like, but even for blockbuster fans, I think there has been a steep decline of beloved franchises in recent years
Rather than stifling creativity, these restrictions have often led filmmakers to find innovative ways to tell stories, which makes the cinema scene in Iran unique and, in its own way, rebellious
Definitely, although it has come with a high cost for so many of these artists!
I also think that’s a big interference with artists creatively. If your under religious and and governmental restrictions. You can’t create the full vision you hope to achieve
The video warns against this view and, with respect, I think it's right to. Panahi, for instance, has certainly found some interesting ways of dealing with the terrible restrictions placed on him, but what might he have done without them?
What I find astounding about Iranian cinema is just how much intelligence and sensitivity there is in it. You can comb through arthouse fare from all over the world on a channel like Mubi and not find anything like this from most other countries, including countries with difficult political situations. The one concession I'll make to your argument is that, with low budgets and zero special effects, you're only real hope as a filmmaker is to make the story, or at least the subject matter or imagery compelling, and when you do this, precisely because the material means are limited, the substance hits harder; it's like magic, like alchemy: base matter into gold.
But, again, the restriction of a low budget alone doesn't guarantee this outcome, as lots of other cinema also shows. I want to know what it is in Iranian culture, perhaps in its educational system, that manages to produce so many filmmakers able to make such intelligent art. Whatever it is, I strongly suspect it'd be there still without the oppressive regime.
Omg u are so real for the iranian movies having ghibli feel i watched where is the friends house and i felt the same way
Ahh that's awesome! Thanks for sharing, nice to know I am not alone :)
I’ve loved Iranian cinema for years- I think Taste of Cherry was probably my entry point and I’ve still never seen another movie like it- in the years since I fell in love over and over again with movies like Gabbeh, Kandahar, No One Knows About Persian Cats, Through the Olive Trees, Close-Up, The Day I Became a Woman, The Past, and many others that you list here. I hadn’t ever looked into festival programming practices or the history of funding and restrictions. I love how you seamlessly blend these histories with personal commentary with discussions of individual films that you love and want to champion. Excellent essay! Subscribed!
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback and encouragement ❤
I have recently delved into Iranian cinema and I have absolutely loved Muhammad Rasoulof's movies! "The white meadows" is so exquisite, sad and poetic. I also appreciated Panahi's "The white balloon" very much! It explores childhood in apparently simple yet very deep way. Iranian directors are really intense.
@@kkplumkk agreed! I actually haven't seen white meadows yet, so adding to my watch list 😍
@@guigui-chan Rasoulof is a great director! ♥️
This is an excellent overview of Iranian cinema, i've seen a lot of these movies and i've taken note of a few more recent ones i want to see. Thank you very much :)
Thank you for your kind comment!
There's an Indian remake known as Bumm Bumm Bole of movie Children of heaven. Children of heaven is truly an amazing movie.
Ohh, I was not aware of that! Yes it is, makes me cry each time :)
This is a good video, all the iranian movies I watched were so good.
Thank you, they really are great films!
I feel so thankful to have found such a delicate video and I hope that you will reach a broader audience over time. As of now, you won yourself a subscriber!
@@jaunegiallo thank you so much for your kind words ♥️ I am very happy you liked the video!!
Such a well researched video! Subscribed!
Thank you so much!
beautifully put! i love iranian cinema a lot actually, taste of cherry still makes me think a lot about life in general. are you from japan btw?
@@akshunsharma2195 thank you! No, I am from Europe :)
Thanks for this! I grew up in Brazil, and some of the best cinema was produced during the (right-wing) military dictatorship. Artists had to make clever use of metaphors and symbols to get ideas past censorship, which luckily to all of us tends to be pretty narrow-minded and devoid of sensitivity. I love "A Separation" and was very moved by "The Ballad of the White Cow".
@@RcsN505 same during Portuguese dictatorship (but mostly with music, not cinema). If you have any good suggestions for brazilian cinema of a similar kind, please share 😃
Great job, can't wait to see more!
Thank you so much!
Iranian films are the best.
Agreed!
Brilliant video essay! You gave a really great contextual setup. And I really enjoyed hearing about your personal feelings about the film “white balloon”. I love you providing the cultural and political context in Iran, and how it’s affected Iranian cinema. So interesting and informative. There are so many films you’ve shown I want to watch now. Like “Leila’s Brothers” (a film that's funny, dramatic, has a strong character ensemble and includes critiques of capitalism and patriarchy sounds right up my alley). This is well edited (great placing and use of clips and text) and has great analysis. Liked and subscribed!
Woow, thank you so much for the amazing feedback and for the sub! And yes, definitely see "Leila's brothers" - besides having so many layers of meaning and critique, it's just such a funny film!
@@guigui-chan No worries! My pleasure
Cool, instant sub.
Awesome, thank you!😍
You're doing great work here.
You put in real effort it seems.❤
Thanks a lot 😊
Awesome video ! Subscribed !
I am glad you liked it, thank you so much! ❤
Lovely video. One very small point: in English, 'convoluted' is generally an insult when applied to plotting, implying over-complicated, hard to follow and probably beset by clumsy exposition. In other words, I don't think it's what you meant to say about Farhadi's masterful storytelling. Complex and full of twists, yes, but always clear and interesting.
@@JohnMoseley thank you! Yes, it was certainly not meant to be a criticism ahaha thank you for clarification!
@@guigui-chan A pleasure. 🙂 Like I say, I loved the video. It's given me a lot to think about and made me want to seek out more of these movies.
I've felt the same about the ghibli and Iranian cinema being similar(especially Kiarostami's) :)) they're both my favorite sects of films!!
It's so nice to know there are people out there with the same sensibility! Thanks for sharing 😍
This was a very well researched video indeed. These movies have a different kind of storytelling to be honest, which always gives a thoughtful experience btw what was the instrumental music you used in the background at the beginning of this video around 55seconds? That really set the vibe!
Thanks so much for your feedback! I think the music you are looking for is this copyright-free track from TH-cam, here's the video: th-cam.com/video/2f1jBAK4pWo/w-d-xo.html
@guigui-chan thanks a lot, hoping to see more video essays like this one.
Iranian Cinema: pure 🫶🏽
It’s engrossing in how they can tell stories with artistic simplicity without being didactic or hyperbolic. And in the telling or the showing they encapsulate a tension-a very human tension-that act as eye openers.
As someone looking in from the outside: an endotic immersion, it leads to uncovering our own selves, helps us face our human dilemma. Just brilliant stories, brilliant filmmakers, and brilliant actors.
You have explained the whole experience of the Iranian Cinema exceptionally simply and beautifully.
Thank you so much for your warm feedback and I couldn't agree more when you wrote "leads to uncovering our own selves, helps us face our human dilemma". It's great to see how touching Iranian cinema can be!
Beautiful!
Thank you! I am glad you liked it!
I have only seen TASTE OF CHERRY. And to tell the truth, it did not really leave a lasting epxression. Perhaps I need to see more of them.
@@elnick1000 I agree Taste of Cherry is not for everyone. Personally, the directors that made me fall in love with Iranian cinema were Jafar Panahi and Asghar Farhadi, I learned how to appreciate Kiarostami later :)
@@guigui-chan The film was alright. But I did not see what the fuss was about.
Hello. Im a Texas, United States of America resident. I really want to watch an Iranian "sword and sandal" type movie ("Hussein, Who Said No" (2014) looks really good). I dont have any connection to Iran or her people. How can I see an Iranian film where I live?
Thanks for any suggestions you have and good video.
Hi there! I'd really love to be able to help you, but unfortunately I don't know much about that specific genre in Iranian cinema because I think it's mostly distributed to domestic audiences and hardly ever taken to international theatres, so I can't find them with subtitles :( however, since Iran basically does not believe in copyright, you might actually be able to find such films in Aparat, Iran's version of TH-cam (www.aparat.com/) - whether they have subtitles or not, it's another story...but I'm curious about checking out the film you mentioned, because it's interesting to see those kind of mega productions from other countries. Thanks for watching!
Where to watch Iranian films with English Sub ?
Depending where you are from, sometimes you can find some streaming services that have them (especially the most famous ones like A Separation). There are also quite a lot here on TH-cam. But because many films don't make it to mainstream Western audiences, often you just have to find copies online, e.g. via Stremio
thank you for the video!! im sorry i have to ask what's the song that started playing at the beginning?
I'm glad you liked it :) the into music is a copyright-free track from TH-cam, here's the video: th-cam.com/video/2f1jBAK4pWo/w-d-xo.html
@@guigui-chan thank you!!
I absolutely agree with you. Am a huge fan of Iranian cinema. It amazing how they show us life in Iran despite the severe restrictions imposed on the filmmakers
I know, it's amazing! And such a breath of fresh air whenever one of their films premiers in a theatre. Thanks for sharing 🙏
I don't think putting down hollywood films is necessary. Apples and oranges. I love Iranian cinema, but I also like Spiderman.
I think people can like whatever they like, but even for blockbuster fans, I think there has been a steep decline of beloved franchises in recent years
@guigui-chan sure. Just not a necessary thing to compare them.
Why would anyone want to watch islamic cinema?
I don't know, but that is surprisingly not what Iranian cinema is all about, despite what the Iranian regime would like