By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Samira Makhmalbaf
Starring: Bahman Ghobadi | Behnaz Jafari | Said Mohamadi
Original language title: Takhté siah
Country: iran, italy, japan
Year: 2003
Running time: 85
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0246266
Michael says: “The Iranian film BLACKBOARDS is certainly a strong piece of filmmaking from a woman director, a rarity in Iran. The stunning, desolate opening shots of BLACKBOARDS are undeniable in their power and reeled me in immediately, yet the wandering storyline couldn’t maintain my interest enough for a strong recommendation.
“Makhmalbaf follows the journeys of two men, part of a group of teachers who travel from village to village trying to make a living by teaching children to read and write. Unfortunately, this is a skill that is woefully undervalued in a country torn apart by violence and war. A highly metaphorical tale, BLACKBOARDS also tackles the ubiquitous issue of the Iranian treatment of women.” 3 cats