The Mirror
by
, 08-03-2008 at 12:27 PM (6199 Views)
The Mirror is a foreign film set in Tehran, Iran. Jafar Panahi directed this film in 1998.
It begins by telling the story of a little girl left to find her own way from home after her mother apparently forgets to pick her up. Only being in 1st grade, she isn't clear on exactly HOW to get home, but is able to communicate with bus drivers and police landmarks that she recognizes.
Halfway through the film, she apparently gets tired of acting, and wants to quit shooting the film. The directors of the movie can't seem to coax her back to shooting, and she insists on leaving and going home. She's still young, and doesn't know exactly how to get there, so rather than abandon her, the directors and the camera continue to film her journey home. Unbeknownst to the little girl, she still has her microphone attached, which helps keep track of her more than once. The film literally follows her until she gets into her house.
I liked the film. I thought it was cleverly done. I don't know if I entirely buy the movie-turned-documentary bit. It almost seems like it's staged, but being unfamiliar with the culture, it could very well have turned out this way. It does provide an interesting insight into the culture of the area, even if it's a bit biased.
Overall, I give this film:![]()