Title: This Is Not A Film
Director: Jafar Panahi and Mojtaba Mirtahmasb
Cast: Jafar Panahi and Mojtaba Mirtahmasb
To enjoy, or get anything out of “This Is Not A Film” is to know a little bit about the filmmaker and subject, Jafar Panahi. Last year, Panahi was on trial and found guilty for making a movie that went against the Iranian regime. He was sentenced to six years in prison and a twenty year ban of filmmaking. This “film” was made while Panahi was appealing the court’s decision. “This Is Not A Film” is exactly that, it’s not a film. It’s more like a faux-documentary or farce, but at the same time an essay on the importance of self-expression and the power of cinema, when in fact, this “film” is not cinematic at all.
It was shot with a digital camera and an iPhone in Panahi’s apartment, and it follows an average day in the life. Panahi eats breakfast and calls the documentarian, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, to follow him around with a camera for the day. During the day, Panahi watches old movies, and key scenes of his past movies and also storyboards or acts out his newest screenplay. In this way, he showcases his new work, that he’s not allowed to film. They begin to talk about the accusations the Iranian government has put upon him and the audience gets a clear impression of what this “film” is trying to get at. After all, if someone films Panahi while he’s simply telling a story, then has Panahi broken any laws?
“This Is Not A Film” is not for everyone. It doesn’t have any value unless you know who Jafar Panahi is or have a love for cinema yourself. The “film” doesn’t work because it’s not a film itself but at the same time it says so much more than any movie on the subject of cinema or free speech can say. What Panahi and Mirtahmasb have created here is something more lasting and special, and created in such a way to convey, that this in fact is not a film but an expression of someone who is isolated. And despite the conviction, Panahi remains defiant and artful.
Technical: C-
Acting: C-
Story: A-
Overall: C+
“This Is Not A Film” is screening as part of the 49th New York Film Festival on Oct 13th.
by @Rudie_Obias
