Iran (1971)

Synopsis

Far more than a travelogue with pretty pictures, this little-known film won six international awards shortly after its release.

'Iran' consists of spectacular geographical and archaeological footage interspersed with "slice of life" shots, evidencing best juxtapositional editing we've ever seen.

This is a buried masterpiece from the director of 'A Man and a Woman,' 'Happy New Year,' and 'And Now My Love.'



Lelouch reportedly shot six miles of footage to make this film, which apparently was sponsored by a multinational petroleum pipeline construction firm, as a gift to the Shah's wife.

One guesses that international dissatisfaction with the excesses of the Pahlevi regime negatively affected the distribution of the film, a shame, because few films treating similar themes are its equal.

The musical score by Francis Lai is a priceless timepiece, resplendent with heavy early-70s euro-pop wah-wah guitar. An intriguing, beautifully crafted, and dynamic film, this visual poem transcends the didactic. (Internet Archive)


This film won six international awards.

This film is best understood after watching Albert Lamorisse's The Lovers' Wind (Baadeh Saba, 1978), an ostentatious propaganda film of the same commission that was originally rejected for it's inadequate portrayal of Iran's nouveau-modernism (urban youth, industrial marvels) and it's overly-lyrical style.

In LeLouch's rendition, there are no such inadequacies. The focus is on culture - heritage, modernity and (what soon would be named) Westernization.

Past and present meet - veils and miniskirts, camels and helicopters, remains of ancient Persia, the highlights of Islamic art, caviar and the oil fields and gas pumps. The Shah looks good in white turtlenecks and Farah Diba is seen in the Farah Diba hairstyle. This charming couple didn't copy Europan royalty, rather appeared as an Eastern equivalent to Mr. and Mrs. John F. Kennedy - Pax Americana had succeeded Rule Britannia.

The Pahlavi dynasty was a young one, but here the Shah is depicted as the modern link in an old tradition. Many emperors have used this trick to establish a dynasty, or at least their own position. By this time the picture of Iran was changing.

There was more talk of political refugees than of hairstyles. Some years passed. Came the the Islamic revolution, and Westernization was banned.

Very soon it was about good or evil, black or white. This film has the quality of being both entertaining and evoking the big question of our time. (Reviewer:  Eva Vikstrom - May 8, 2008 Subject: Swinging Teheran)

Read about this film

Country: France
Color: Color
Runtime: 19 min.