Iran: Veiled Appearances

I have to admit that I'm not a student of the Middle East. In fact, I had a big blind spot with respect to it ever since the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979. And prior to that, I had always swallowed uncritically whatever the US media had told me about conflicts centered around Israel's presence in the region.

So this movie was a real useful and informative experience for me. It gave me a feel for a fairly broad spectrum of life in modern Iran for common, everyday, middle and working class people, young and old, fundamentalist and reformist. I would recommend it highly to anyone interested in the Middle East.

The most important aspect of the film, however, was how it depicted religion's ability to act as a social foundation and glue.

The sequence that showed the meeting that was devoted to the memory of the martyr Hussein was absolutely enthralling and worth the price of admission alone. To see a room full of men sobbing with helpless grief at the memory of one man's sacrifice many centuries before, is nothing short of amazing. It made me appreciate the depth and sincerity of their feeling and it made me envious that I had no comparable heart and soul in my own heavily materialistic and secular life.

Everyone in the west is well aware of the evils that fundamentalism can bring, but how many really appreciate the supremely nurturing and sustaining spiritual aspects of it? I think there is much to learn and appreciate in other's people's beliefs. And this movie helps to show that, as well as a number of other useful, if more mundane, things about Iran.

Breathtaking look at the revolution happening within the Revolution in Iran. From mass rallies chanting an ayatollah's name (with memories of similar rallies in Europe not so long ago) to the candid and heartfelt views on love of a young couple in the mountains overlooking Teheran (where the revolution's censors' prying eyes don't reach), a visually and emotionally stunning piece of film. I attended a viewing with an Iranian, and she confessed to being amazed at the views of the inner sanctums of Iranian life: pilgrims at Khomeini's grave kissing his tomb, weeping religious zealots at a religious poetry reading, actors, men and women mixed, training (clandestinely it seemed) for a stage play...a glimpse at the pulsing, and possibly changing, heart of a nation.

This film was amazing for it's audacity and truthfulness that is rarely seen in Iranian society. This documentary shows both sides of the life that Iranians live. They follow the supporters of Khatemi as well as students who oppose him. There is a candid discussion about the separation of classes, the rich and poor. Those living in poverty make up 70% of the Iranian population and are sorely out of touch with the previous generations. The younger male generation have lost all their ideals and values according to some of the female students interviewed.

An amazing show of emotions was present during the Ashura religious holiday, men openly balling their eyes out in the streets and in a mosque. During the mosque scene the camera shows a man yawning and crying in a comical scene of the film.

This film ends with something we don't think of Iranians doing, a certain "extreme" (not very extreme) sport that involves women running off of a mountain.

Overall this film showed a very objective viewpoint of Iranian life. The subtitles in this film were very helpful and helps the viewer understand what is going on throughout the movie, especially during prayers and songs.

"Iran, Veiled Appearances" isn't much of a documentary. However, it does transport the viewer behind the Islamic curtain and offers a sense of what contemporary Iranian life is like. It begins with a dab of history including brief file footage of the Shah and the Ayatollah Khomeini before launching into an exploration of the Iran of today much like an inquisitive tourist rather than an investigation of political, social, and cultural orders. Too much time is spent dawdling over visual spectacles such as parades, martial arts training, a dance class, paragliding, etc., all of which are done in other countries (a minute on each would have sufficed). The interviews with Iranians are man-in-the-street type with college kids espousing liberal ideals as do college kids everywhere while elders preach the usual conservative doctrine. The schism between the theocratic fundamentalist elders and the more western-thinking youth came as no surprise. However, if we are seeing the seeds of change or revolution, we weren't shown the forces keeping a lid on it. Overall, the film was only marginally interesting, lacked traveloguesque scenic beauty, offered minimal history, had no interviews with officials, and conjured nothing which could be considered investigative reporting. Pass on this one unless you really yearn for a peek at Iran. (C+)

Note - I have a theory which suggests Peter Sellers did not die but grew a beard, moved to Iran, changed his name to Khatami, and became President.

Well done. Not too much narrative. But a whole lot of information on what is really going on in Iran. This documentary touched off on what caused the revolution and spent a great deal of footage on what is happening now. This film is not a repeat of what you normally except to see and it takes its time on each of the issues it covers.