Smoqing (2007) User Reviews

brilliant wrap up on smoking

[f-candice · 10/10 · 6 April 2008]

I saw this film at New York short film festival. the film uses amazing camera work by Shokof,s favorite Camera man Zandi (Shokof made that remark at a screening of Asudem).Zandi mentioned at that press conference that he prays the lord being alive after every film he makes with Shokof for all the real life-threatening actions he goes through to actually shooting the action scenes. One can feel all that action in Smoqing as well.this film is full of speed, extraordinary editing and great perspectives and again the use of that famous Shokof,s ONE light system (I saw the same Cinematography in Asudem from Shokof) which he hands the movie light into the hands of the actress Melinda Cohen throughout the film and the results are simply brilliant. the film is about a young girl Melinda Cohen who is just now decided to quit smoking, and goes through the most horrific experiment of her life for doing so.

the story is again a most original concept which ends with hallucinative sounds towards the end of the film with a mind blowing final shot that might just help many smokers to think twice smoking the next cigarette ever again. I am a smoker and would not give up smoking not even to get close to this favorite Artist of mine, but have to admit , it was difficult to look at myself in the mirror in the toilet when i lit a smoke after the film was over. Great Directing from a Cult favorite Director of mine deserving another 10. the sound and music is mesmerizing alongside the great sound effects (done by Tom Dokoupil). it seems that Shokof and co. could deliver a punch every time they hit the screen with a new work. really astonishing fresh short film.

gets a 10 from me bu still a 4 star?!

[ssandoval78 · 10/10 · 17 June 2008]

this is a chilling film about how smoking can question and trouble a life without going through details. the Q is i suppose to endorse the question state of the film, the girl, and the ending which is great. i gave the film a 10 cause its just too good to be true, and remains in mind for good. somehow all shokof films have this distinguished nature and thats probably why he has a following?i saw the film in Los Angeles, and we talked about it afterwards with many smokers amongst us and laughed all we could , but somehow through all the laughs many started to itch, and scratched their skins a lot and soon someone went to buy some band aids! a great 10, and i also do not understand that the film has more than 8 ten voting in 12 votes ad remains a 4 star?! just ignore the ratings. see it.

strong smoked up situation

[sepiapicks · 10/10 · 3 July 2008]

somqing is short and thank god for being only that short of a film. it is deliberate and annoying, funny, superstitious, and fantasy like as well,but all together it is to show how smoking can defuse, confuse, and regardless of how the acting can be, to prove that some movies, are still run by the signature, will, perspectives, and know how of the Director.Daryush Shokof is a shining example of an artist is all about regardless of his origin.he is not only making movies free of all Iranian usual, boring perspectives, constructions, limitations, conservatism, but also turns the heads round for the most free societies in the world by being original, and unique in handling the making of his films. his signature is now perhaps one of the most vivid in the whole industry. i loved the whole construction of the film and how he first time actress got to look good through creative edits and more creative use of lighting which has become identified with Shokof "using one source of light,and let it in the hands of the main character". a 10. great .just overwhelmingly satisfying the purpose of making a film about the terrible habit of smoking. by the way I, too do not understand the rating system either. isn't this movie 9 over all rating?rather than 4?!!

i do not understand the ratings

[jahan-5 · 10/10 · 23 May 2008]

all shokof films have one star voting.?!it is incredible that one sees 5 people or more have voted on each film and 80% have voted above 9 out of ten stars and yet all his films are rated with one star.? strange! i just don't understand this.please, explain.i have voted for all his films a 10 personally and see others have done so as well, and still this is puzzling with a one star system for shokof films!? how can a film like asudem, breathful, smoqing, and or others get 8 votes with 6 above 9 stars given to them by your users, and only 2 or less with one star and yet the rating for the film end with one star? please, let me know if i misunderstand something?