The Salesman (Forushande)

Synopsis

“Returning to film in his native Iran after the French interlude of “The Past“, Asghar Farhadi continues his exploration of the dark side of the soul, using a traumatic assault to trigger a young husband’s uncontrollable thirst for revenge. (…) When the final punches are delivered in a knock-out finale that leaves the viewer tense and breathless. At this point there’s not much doubt that Farhadi’s work has revolutionized new Iranian cinema, pulling it out of the much-beaten path of realism and self-reflection pioneered by directors like Abbas Kiarostami and Mohsen Makhmalbaf and onto a new, highly dramatized and theatrical road. “The Salesman“ takes this tendency to its limits, even incorporating a theatre play into its story of hurt pride and revenge. (…) Though once again, the social divisions in modern Iran play a crucial part in the drama and its repercussions on the characters’ lives (…).“ (Deborah Young, The Hollywood Reporter)

Around The World in 14 Films 2016, presented by Sebastian Schipper