By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.75 cats
Director: Jafar Panahi
Starring: Fereshteh Sadr Orfani | Maryiam Palvin Almani | Nargess Mamizadeh
Original language title: Dayereh
Country: iran, italy
Year: 2001
Running time: 90
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0255094/reference
Diane says: “I finally saw THE CIRCLE, and think it’s excellent. The way the story slides from one woman to another is great, and I loved the constant close-ups, and the cinematography in general. I had to laugh to myself: I was recently telling people that I don’t approve of films about sex workers (in the context of CENTER OF THE WORLD), but then there’s something like this…. I was surprised that prostitution can even happen in Iran. Live and learn… A really great movie.” 4 cats
Laura says: “Director/editor Jafar Panahi’s Venice 2000 Golden Lion winner is a powerful statement about the oppression of women in Iran (banned within its own country), yet also celebrates their sisterhood. Panahi and writer Kambuzia Partovi suggest strong themes with such simple devices as unlit cigarettes. Their failure to tell us what these women have been jailed for strengthens the story because as we witness the difficulty being a woman in Iran brings to such simple tasks as buying a bus ticket, we realize that whatever their transgressions are, they would be viewed as trivial in Western society.” 5 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/thecircle.htm”
Michael says: THE CIRCLE examines the bleak situation for women in Iran in a circular narrative that shows us the stories of several women. Each of the women in this film has been recently released from prison, or are headed there. Panahi never explains precisely what the women are arrested for, thereby implying that there is little reason for the persecution they suffer. The actresses are all adept at displaying the hopelessness of their situation yet never stop trying to better their positions. THE CIRCLE is a powerful film that shows how even smoking a cigarette is a triumph for these women. Panahi structures the film elegantly as well. I highly recommend this film.” 4.5 cats
Robin says: “The cinema verite-style camerawork helps carry forward the tension these women live with, day to day, as they strive to survive and stay out of prison – and it doesn’t take much to get sent to prison. The look of the film, coupled with the natural efforts by the actresses, makes it feel real, almost documentary-like, and brings us to see a very different social order. THE CIRCLE is a powerhouse of a film.” 5 cats
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/thecircle.htm”
Scot says: “I enjoyed this one quite a bit and have found myself wanting to find more about the ‘moral crimes’ many women (and some few men) are being carted off for. The cinematography and cast are definitely on my list of potential nominees as is Fereshteh Sadr Orfani (Pari) for best actress. (She also appeared in Panahi’s THE WHITE BALLOON, BTW.)”