在这部群羊剧情片中,What, really, an Iranian gangster drama? It’s true, we’re not joking. It can be called that. There is even a hint of "The Sopranos", although the action is set in a Teheran slum. It is also something very special in the context of Iran – in a country where 150 films are made a year. The overwhelmingly strong audience award from the national film competition of the Fajr Film Festival only goes to prove that.
Shahin, a loud-mouth fellow adopted years ago, is trying to establish his authority in a family run by the iron hand of his drug lord brother. When a phone-filmed video of their sister showing her hair to a strange man – a grave sin in that society – starts circulating, things get really crazy. The family’s honour becomes more important than any person. Can a sheep who has obeyed the shepherd’s crook all his life even become anything more – someone who decides on his own life and does not need a shepherd? How does the herd mentality actually influence our life?
A film with serious social undertones, in which our good old friend Navid Mohammadzadeh, who visited Tallinn last year, pulls off a transformation trick for the likes of which Oscars are awarded. His contradictory character inspires both anger and pity – a true master class of acting! This is worth casting aside any possible prejudice you might have towards Iranian film should be cast aside – you can only gain from this film!
Tiit Tuumalu
The story of a gang of drug dealers in the south of Tehran who has sheltered many youngsters and orphans from the streets. Shahin and Shakoor who are brothers are leading the gang but when it is collapsed creates a crisis in their family and their lives.
