Septembers of Shiraz (2015) User Reviews

Informative but unpleasant.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 30 November 2016]

"Septembers of Shiraz" is a well made and very well acted film...but I cannot see many people wanting to see it for several obvious reasons. First, it's about the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and a lot of people just don't find this a 'sexy' subject for films. Second, no matter how how do such a film, people will find fault in how the Revolution is handled. Third, and most importantly, the film is incredibly unpleasant with scenes of torture...and a lot of folks don't want to watch someone being tortured. All these conspire to make this a difficult film to say the least.

The film begins as the Revolution is beginning. No context whatsoever is given to the viewer--nothing about the previous brutal regime of the Shah nor about the ideology of the Ayatollah and his followers. All you really learn is that the Shah was awful and the people who followed were awful. I know more about it because I am a retired history teacher...but the average viewer, particularly younger ones, will feel a bit confused. I think the reason they did this related to the second problem above...and so they apparently tried to make the film as apolitical and a personal film as they could instead.

The story is about a Jewish family and their particular experiences during this time. The husband, Isaac (Adrien Brody), is arrested...though you never learn exactly why. It seems as if he was arrested simply because he was rich and he undergoes both mental and physical torture from the new Republican Guard. During this time, his wife (Salma Hayek) waits and waits and watches everything they owned get stolen from thieves...all in the name of the Revolution. Will the husband be released and what of the family?

I noticed some folks complained about this film because the look wasn't just right--such as the wrong sorts of cars being shown in Iranian roads. Well...considering it was NOT filmed in Iran, and I STRONGLY DOUBT the government would have allowed this, this sort of complaint seems bizarre at best. The film was made in Bulgaria...and I guess they tried their best. I'll say no more about this.

Overall, the film is very well made and compelling...and unpleasant. Because it is a story about a real family, however, I cannot just dismiss it. It's worth seeing IF you are up to the task.

Enthralling ..

[samabc-31952 · 7/10 · 13 October 2020]

This movie may have hit the snag mostly because the novel is very well written and the movie is kind of an abysmal adaptation of it.. but the story is quite enthralling, story revolves around a Jewish Iranian family and its struggle and escape from it during late 1970s as Iran sees the rise of Islamic fundamentalists ...

Persecution and Power

[ferguson-6 · 5/10 · 23 June 2016]

Greetings again from the darkness. It's 1979 in Tehran, and the Shah of Iran has recently been overthrown in favor of Ayatollah Khomeini and the shift to fundamentalist Islam. Director Wayne Blair informs us that the Hanna Weg script from Dalia Sofer's bestselling novel is "based on true events". As soon as we realize the story is about a wealthy Jewish family, we are prepared for the sure to be unpleasantness.

Adrien Brody plays Isaac, a self-made man whose jewelry business has profited through his dealings with the previous regime. His wife Farnez is played by Salma Hayek, and their beautiful home is the setting for the going-away party for their son who is headed to the United States to continue his education, leaving behind his parents and younger sister.

Ignoring his own warnings that things are getting bad, Isaac is soon arrested by the Revolutionary Guard. As Farnez tries to see him, while also keeping things together at home, Isaac is being interrogated and later tortured as he is held captive.

As in many revolutions, it comes down to rich versus poor, and those who had power versus those who now wield the big stick. Isaac and Farnez are presented as good people who have helped others … including their housekeeper played by the always interesting Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Sand and Fog). Her loyalties begin to waver even as her son joins forces with the Guards. Why should she clean toilets while Farnez lives the high life? The scenes with Ms. Hayek and Ms. Aghdashloo are the film's best, but even those aren't strong enough given the material.

The film tries to maintain a neutral stance on religion and politics, though it's clear where the sympathies fall. The ending dedication to "all victims of persecution" gives some idea of the lack of focus here. The over-acting from Adrian Brody does distract some from the manner in which the story ends. The lesson seems to be that one is never free when focused on material things, and yet revolutions always seem to be about the power that comes with money … rather than the issues initially proclaimed. In book form, this is a terrific and personal story about the impact of the revolution. Unfortunately, on the screen, it comes across as all too familiar and lacking in danger and suspense … none of which lessens the true hardships faced by this family.

Good handful of Teheran operatives "reviewing" in here

[Chris Engelbrecht · 7/10 · 20 July 2016]

Didn't think too much of it at first. But then I read some of the few reviews in here and elsewhere, and everything started to sound fishy. It ain't _that_ bad. Sure you can tell stories about the impact of religious mass hysterical envy on an entire country, suffered by decent people just because they dare to have made a bit of money under the old regime. So the Shah wasn't a bloody angel either, but you don't fight fire by pissing gasoline on the fire. In fact you should tell such stories, as this flick clearly shows. Not that I didn't already know that Ayatollah Iran is no different in hysteria from a communist regime, but this one confirms it again.

This flick suddenly became important tell just on that alone. Somebody here isn't from Estonia. Or from Bulgaria. I guess some people just aren't accustomed to their selfish oppression of decent folk having a better life than themselves being called out in international movies. It's a bitch being on the wrong side of history too, innit, fana? (Lot of that going 'round in the world these days.)

Studio 54 in Iran

[Marcus-Aurelius90 · 18 February 2016]

Okay that doesn't accurately sum up the entire film, but it's what I thought during the opening party scene, which begins with a sub par attempt at copying the famous Goodfellas nightclub tracking shot, complete with cliché 70s anthem - Staying Alive by (Aussie Pop kings) The Bee Gees.

I thought at first - Wow how weird. Producer/Actor Salma Hayak is doing a Studio 54 in Iran.

Anyway as the movie wears on it does improve a little in recreating the original novel. Some negatives - The actors in it are noticeably younger than the middle aged intelligentsia that the novel depicts. Thats not a criticism really - film investors want pretty people, preferably pretty young people, but it's worth noting for those that have read the book. Also it was shot with the Bourne Identity shaky cam style that is no longer in vogue. I get the sense that the camera operator was trying to infuse this film with the type of realism that the screenplay failed to inspire.

This is not Iran in the 1970s. It's a Hollywood attempt at depicting Iran in the 1970s. The book was brilliant, this movie was not. The film presented a general overview of what happened in the novel without getting into the nitty gritty the novel depicted so well; a sort of precursory glance, nothing more. The result is yet another "the book was much better" situation. This film removed the New York chapters which gave political and cultural balance to the book. I thought that was a grave error.

Could have been better, but worth the watch!

[LiveLoveLead · 6/10 · 26 August 2020]

This film is set in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution and focuses on the experience of a wealthy Jewish family whose patriarch (Brody) is suddenly arrested by the Republican Guard and how they handle the repercussions of this revolution and it's threat to their household. Although the story and acting are good there are several flaws with this movie. If you don't know the history you will be a bit lost because no context is given to understand that the previous Persian Shah who's monarchy had reigned 2,500 years and which tolerated the practice of many religions was overthrown by the supporters of the revolutionary founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khomeini, who the poor felt was the answer to their prayers. The directing could have been better, the sets and cinematography were average, and the pacing is a bit slow but, this "based on true events" story draws you in and the acting keeps it afloat which makes this worth the watch, In My Humble Opinion. Aug2020

Recorded Voices

[jadaabdol · 6/10 · 2 December 2021]

What annoys me the most is that the voices of the cast is recorded, and that was disturbing, It could've been best, you have a great cast, a great story but a bad annouing result.

Why did Shohreh Aghdashloo stoop so low?????

[persian-belle · 1/10 · 26 February 2017]

I'm an Iranian living in exile. As a child living in Iran in 1979, I remember very well what my my parents and my family went through. We were not Jews or minority of any kind. After the Islamic took power in 1979, many were persecuted. As Iranians we consider ourselves "One Nation" regardless of religion. The actions of an idiotic government that took power in 1979 does not AT ALL reflect the feelings and attitudes of the Iranian people toward each other. We consider ourselves of the same race. Like Italians, we have more fair and less fair, olive skin and white skin, as well as super fair and super dark... and it doesn't matter to us. Iranian Jews are not more fair or "white". They can have any look just like any other Iranian. Iranian Jews are not the only wealthy ones or well-dressed ones in Iran. It may be quite the opposite but I won't get into that and I don't want to stoop as low as the screen writers here.

Also, I wonder why two Americans were chosen to play the main roles... There are countless great Iranian-American actors who could have done a much superior and vraisemblant job, but I am sure they didn't. And Shohreh Aghdashloo, top Iranian-American actress, disappointed me so much in accepting a small role in this anti-Iran film.

I've rated this film 1 because it's a horrible choice and can throw off the non-Iranian viewer completely. As for Iranians, we lived this; we don't need to watch it again.

I loved the film. It's very real. I cried a lot during the entire time watching it because this happened to many Iranians especially those in positions of power. Those who say it's not believable are those who know nothing about what horrors took place in Iran after the Islamic regime took power in 1979. My mother, a very apolitical nurse, was the principal for a Nursing Assistants school in Iran and after the revolution she demoted herself to working as a Nursing instructor in a different city just so we would not become targets for the new regime. You have to realise that anyone in a position of power under Shah's regime could be accused of being a heretic and be called all sorts of names.

The main character Isaac is a successful Iranian man who as he states just "happens to be a Jew."

Here's the "Dummies" version of what happened:

Prior to 1979, Iran had a secular regime under Mohammad Reza Shah (AKA the Shah of Iran). Most ordinary people enjoyed life in Iran pretty much like the way we do today in North America or Europe. You could decide to practice any religion or no religion. You could go to a bar if you wanted to. Yes there was dancing, lots of parties and fashion followed Europe closely (much nicer fashion than North America).

The only downside of the Shah's system was that he had a mini- party regime and proclaimed himself king for life without being questioned. So you see, those who could dare question him could be imprisoned, tortured or executed by Savak, Shah's secret police.

The non-political middle and upper classes enjoyed a good life. Many communists and left thinkers started the movement against the Shah. However the uprising somehow was transformed into something bigger when out of the blue (in reality with the support of the US), a exiled clergy named Khomeini started speaking against the Shah too. At that time, the masses who were poor, rather religious and frustrated by the status quo took him to be the answer to their prayers and showed increasing support for Khomeini, much like American rednecks thought Trump was an answer to their prayers!

Shah left soon. Exiled Islamic clergy, Khomeini came to Iran with the support of thugs, and the misery began........

Now this was a time of chaos and anyone could be picked on. Wearing the hejab (covering hair for women ) was not a serious mandate yet (film is inaccurate in that regard). Yes religious minorities such as Jews, Christians or Baha'is could be picked on, but then so were all other Iranians who were successful or those who were Muslim by birth and didn't seem to practice it seriously (most Iranians).

The story is great, but I could understand it because I'm a fellow Iranian. For a film that is marketed to people outside Iran, the film doesn't provide a setting or backdrop. Just because Isaac is Jewish the viewer may easily assume only Jews or religious minorities were targeted by the new regime in 1979. Just because the thugs are mostly Muslims the viewers can wrongly deduce that the story is about the conflict between Muslims and Jews. No. Iranians love each other and most are not blinded by religious differences amongst themselves.

Another minor issue of inaccuracy: When some men are speaking, one says Cyrus the Great didn't discriminate based on religion whether it was Islam Christianity or Judaism. :) Well, Cyrus the Great ruled Iran (the Persian Empire) 2575 years ago! This was before the birth of Christ and the advent of Islam!

All in all, a very honest film, except the fact that to uninformed non-Iranians who are fed anti- Iran propaganda and think Iranians are all a bunch of uneducated religious fanatics, the movie doesn't help. That's just because the main character happens to be a Jew. Unfortunately there's no portrayal of what Most Iranians looked like, dressed like and behaved like, so some viewers might assume that lifestyle of Isaac was exclusive to non- Muslims!

Now that you're better informed, please go ahead and watch this heart-wrenching story that happened to many of us Iranians. That's why many of us are living in diaspora, and the majority of us are light-practicing or secular Iranians born Muslim.

A History We All Need to Remember

[kevinmaclellan0 · 9/10 · 20 February 2017]

If you are old enough to remember the brutal history of the deposing of the Shah of Iran, this movie provides a small slice of the life during this takeover. The conversion to theocracy in Iran led to draconian measures placed on its citizens and to opportunists of the supporters of the regime to enjoy personal triumph at the cost of those who had been successful in their own lives. We should not forget that Ayatollah Khomeini was the new "god" and had usurped the Shah. His ideals were not unlike a fundamentalist Taliban ideology. The demand to follow the koran and force the end of Iranian "westernization" was foremost the demand of the new regime. The fact that our protagonist is a Jewish jeweler with considerable success under the Shah led to jealous behaviour on the part of the new guard. It also portrays some heroic moments by honest Irani citizens as they help the forsaken jewller.

The movie was well made and well acted. It has a very good script and that fact alone makes for a good movie. It has thrills, tension, and suspense. It is emotional as anyone watching the movie will recognize the brutality against fellow humans and remind people to be wary of dictatorships be they a Shah or a religious figure. Hatred is hatred by anyone. The movie provides a better insight into the current Iran.

Watch the movie if not for the history lesson, then because it is a good movie. Above standard at any measure.

Agonizing

[fmwongmd · 6/10 · 13 September 2020]

A page from Iran and the tragedy suffered by its citizens under a religious totalitarian state. Adrien Brody does a good job of acting.

Not a single believable scene or dialogue!

[darba36170 · 3/10 · 2 November 2015]

The story is about the family of a successful Tehran businessman, being targeted by the revolutionaries in late 70x Iran. He is detained and tortured (but not deprived from bathing and socialising with other prisoners in a hamam), she is abused (but only verbally) and their house and business premises are looted (except from the wine and the most precious diamonds). So, yes, the family are the victims, and the revolutionaries are the villains. But in the end the whole story is about them bribing their way out of the country. The most pathetic car chase in movie history notwithstanding. And the worst deal a Jew has ever made for transport services. What exactly is the moral here?

Mind you, not a single scene or dialogue in the whole movie is remotely believable.

Finally a Tale of Truth in Hollywood

[mypersianheritage · 10/10 · 28 August 2016]

I find this movies exhilarating , emotional and in the mean time extremely sad, as always Adrian Brody hits his target. I am an Iranian so I can make a perfect connection to this story, it is a tale of exile and forced migration, I had to go through a less severe version of exile myself.

After the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the poor and illiterate that were empowered by the Islamists and mullahs have been given a power to loot, abuse and murder those in minorities,wealthy individuals and those who supported the previous regime. the story still continues till today. illiterate,bigoted Muslim thugs with beards still kidnap , murder, blackmail and ransack as they please. Mullahs still hold power in 21st century and Sharia law is the law of the land.

It is very hard for me or any Iranian who lived before the revolution to even imagine the ciaos brought upon us by these Islamic vermin. I even noticed some of the regime apologist have lowered the rating here in IMDb screaming murder and demanding justice.

This film is incredibly close to really, there was no propaganda involved and even today the same is happening in Iran, when country is taken over by a fascist religious ideology these kind of behaviors are normal. What is abnormal are the regime apologists residing in the west and still defending the undeniable.

The story begins when a prosperous Jewish family living in North Tehran faced with horrors, a self-made business man with his family watches as his country being tore apart by fascist religious bigots. being Jewish and wealthy, his business is ransacked by his own employees and he was arrested for being in touch with Royal Family of Iran, His wife and child are being abused and constantly taunted by the notorious IRGC members.on other side his wife and child waiting for hi at home are being faced with a class indifference and illiterate lower class demanding their rights.

Watching this movie is incredibility put you in touch with revolutionary Iran, it worth every second and it is an incredible accurate of what really happened.

Some Interesting Thoughts About The Iranian Revolution

[sddavis63 · 7/10 · 24 September 2017]

I watched this movie on Netflix Canada where it was called "Enemy Territory." Set in Tehran in 1979 about eight months after the Iranian Revolution that overthrew the Shah and brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power, the movie basically tells the story of one affluent Jewish family living in the city and trying to navigate their way through the chaotic times.

Adiren Brody played Isaac, husband to Farnez (Salma Hayak) and father to Parviz and Shirin. Isaac is a successful jeweller who stays out of politics and looks after his business, treating his Muslim employees well. The biggest mark against him is that he regularly travels to Israel to visit family. As the movie opens, the family is happy and successful and celebrating Parviz' opportunity to go to school in the United States. All seems well, even in the aftermath of the revolution. But suddenly Isaac is arrested, and the family finds itself living in a nightmare. Confined to a prison, Issac is questioned and tortured in an attempt to get information from him. Most of the torture was not especially graphic, but there was one unsettling scene in which Isaac is tied and beaten. His wife and young daughter aren't given much information about where he is, and for a time don't know if he's alive or dead. You feel for the family's plight, and you hope for their eventual escape, but for me Isaac's story and the family's troubles were secondary. I found this movie more interesting for offering a few different takes on what the Revolution was all about.

To be honest, the religious aspect of the Iranian Revolution wasn't much depicted. But I found three competing narratives that told the Revolution's story. There were those who honestly saw the Revolution as an attempt to right social injustices and to free Iran from foreign domination. Much of this was seen through Habibeh (Shohreh Aghdashloo) - who worked for the family but who was also a friend to them, but who was increasingly aware of the discrepancy between the two. As she noted once, in all the years she had worked for them she had never been asked to share a meal with them. Watching her struggle within herself about the meaning of the Revolution was interesting, and Aghdashloo did a good job of portraying that internal struggle. Then there was Habibeh's son Morteza (Navid Navid.) Essentially he and his cohorts are the thugs who appear in every revolution (or even just protest) and use the events as an opportunity to wreak havoc. Morteza steals everything from Isaac, in spite oft he fact that Isaac had been very good to him. And there's Mohsen (Alon Aboutboul) - in charge of the prison where Isaac is held. His character makes the point out that even revolutionaries are for sale. Once Isaac arranges to give him a lot of money (donated to the revolution, of course) Mohsen suddenly arranges for Isaac's release and gains him and his family safe travel out of the country. None of that is earth-shattering, but I thought it was a well done portrayal of the multi-faceted motivations behind a revolution.

I can't say this was a particularly exciting story. There is some drama toward the end as the family approaches Turkey, and it isn't at all clear that they'll make their escape, but beyond that it's a relatively straightforward movie. Isaac gets arrested; Isaac gets tortured; Isaac gets released; Isaac flees with his family. It's not complicated. But somehow I did like the portrayal of the Revolution. (7/10)

Mediocre at best, regardless of the propaganda

[ari-73046 · 1/10 · 17 November 2016]

The only truth is that the movie is mediocre at best, regardless of the propaganda aspect. It's overwhelmingly one sided in substance and disappointing to watch, since it actually distorts the cause of certain historical events which took place. It tries too hard to focus on a single side effect of the revolution, and at a certain point, it becomes insulting to ones intelligence regardless of political views. Obviously, the reason is that it doesn't want to exposed any other detail about grievances a whole people might have had, as would be the case in any revolution. It claims to be based on true events, but those events are manipulated and exaggerated to such a degree that you walk away hating a whole people, not knowing really why... and not learning anything new.

September of Shiraz and the Aftermath

[krocheav · 28 October 2017]

It's the 1970's & the Iranian revolution is well underway - look out those who prospered under the old regime as the 'new' is coming after you. This is the time writer Dalia Sofer is documenting - the need to escape at all costs. Many good performances bring this powerful recreation to life but, it's obvious from the mixed reviews not many people cared much for the story being told in this screenplay. Is it the fault of the screenplay or other? It's certainly a graphic image of a tumultuous time.

It's difficult to understand why the producer's of this quite major work, opted for the chosen style. If you have a dramatic real-life story to convey and a top cast to carry it, then why treat it to such a cheap photographic style? Australian director Wayne Blair, along with Australian cinematographer Warwick Thornton, have approached this project as if it were a low budget backyard movie. It features some of the worst hand-held camera work I've seen - at one stage it looked as if they were shooting during an earth tremor. At our screening, someone actually said the unstable images were making them nauseous. I'm wondering if this reflects on the Australian Film and Television School's idiom of over-the-top Political Correctness - as in the 'Identity Politics' currently being played out, that foolishly causes 'them and us' separationist type rifts? IE: 'here we have two aboriginals taking courses, must give them top marks for the world to see our ethos'. But, seems perhaps the rest of the world may not have shared our 'enthusiasm'.

Whatever it was/is this movie did not deserve to do so badly on the world stage. It offers a harsh reflection of the state of life at this challenging time – and, as it sadly remains! Mark Isham's music is effective and the use of a 2 Cellos track is well chosen. Overall, it's not as bad as some others have claimed – but with what seems like some 'tacked-on' scenes, should have been better.

Good performances

[harpyofoldghis · 6/10 · 30 April 2018]

This is a very emotional movie, but it would have been much better if the main character wasn't a Jew, since all wealthy and successful people were a target at the time. It is too much of a cliche.

It's not a wine tasting movie

[jeroduptown · 6/10 · 31 July 2021]

It's a bad time for Brody to be Jewish in Iran - and when he's abducted by those taking power, he's gotta fight to survive.

Absolutely terrible - do not waste your time

[nadiacarvalho-10419 · 2/10 · 6 January 2017]

I am actually shocked at how bad the acting is in this film - I can't figure if it's the screenplay or the actual acting that slows the pace down considerably. I have read the book, which was an exhilarating read but nothing special, and being Iranian I could relate and understand the story within the context.

My main issues with the film is that it comes across very insincere because it is spoken in English, phrases which would sound beautiful and more powerful in the native Persian, sound dramatic and silly, which detract from the film's earnestness. I understand if the director wants to reach an English - speaking audience, but as a British - Iranian watching non - Iranian actors speak with such a horrific Iranian accents that metamorphosis into Russian for some reason, is horrific. It is simply not credible.

Naturally, Shohreh Aghdashloo's acting is impeccable as always - if anything she should have been chosen for the lead role instead of Salma.

I would recommend the film 'The Stoning of Soraya M' if you'd like to better understand the social context following the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

A terrific horror story

[sergeantmajorh · 9/10 · 26 February 2017]

I normally don't review however, after reading some of the reviews that were poor I wanted to review this. The story is a horror story of a Jewish family escaping from the horror of an oppressive thug country. Having traveled to the Middle East and miles from Iran, having friends that went through this very scenario, this movie was hard to watch. The acting was good and I was well pleased with Adrian Brody's acting as well. Knowing what life is like there, this movie was riveting to watch and well made. Life there is a horror story for anyone that is not a zealot for the religious government. It is hard to believe that life is like this anywhere in the world today living in the west. People are treated with pure terror that are not brain washed or part of those systems. The story was well told and the acting was good. Nearly a 10 rating from me having witnessed life in that part of the world. I believe this is a good movie to watch if you don't mind suspense. I am not sure if what I have written is a spoiler but marked as such just to be safe. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to see how hard life is in that part of the world. Harsh living unless you are wealthy and part of the system. If not, life is harsh at best. Jews are not likely to live at all there let alone living well today. I have a dear friend, Jewish-Persian who fled during this period and some of the depictions are spot on. Well worth watching.

A bit thought provoking.

[Quietb-1 · 3/10 · 28 June 2016]

Here's a small movie with a respected cast that has too many problems. So much of the dialogue is mundane or on the nose. The cinematography looks like it was shot on a cel phone. By far the sound track is the worst in recorded history with so much muffled dialogue it surpasses distraction.

It is a tough story that gives you appreciation for the plight of refugees. It is well meaning, but just so poorly executed. The performances are good given the script and dialogue with which they had to deal.

The movie is in very limited release and available on home platforms. No need to see it on the big screen it will play just as forced in the comfort of your home. It's a timely subject that deserved better execution.

Great movie, great story, sad truth

[alexmorgantic · 10/10 · 5 August 2021]

I liked this movie a lot. Its realistic portrait showing true nature of 1979 revolutionaries is not something we can see a lot in movies. Adrien Brody's acting is also impressive.

Good movie!

Good acting in a movie based 'on real events' that is far removed from reality.

[t-dooley-69-386916 · 3/10 · 28 September 2016]

This was a film I was looking forward to seeing. It is about a Jewish businessman – Isaac (Adrien Brody) who is a successful jeweller. He is married to the wonderful Farnez – Selma Hayek in late 1970's Iran. We get some scene setting but not a lot about the toppling of the Shah and very little about Ayatollah Khomeini; just that The Revolutionary Guard have taken over .

Then the Guard come calling and Isaac is arrested and their whole World goes south in a very bad way. Now this is not a true story it is based on real events and those events are portrayed in a seemingly black and white way that supporters of the Ayatollah will see as very one sided. There is an attempt to balance the books but it sort of lacks credibility. Some of the scenes too were a bit of a stretch – but to say any of the detail could be a plot reveal – which I do not want to do.

The acting is all very good, but there is some unfortunate CGI, blue screen and the period detail is all wrong. They do not have a single Hillman Hunter on the street shots and at the time 90% of all cars were Hunters, they even assembled them there. The action is also very lame and the actions of some of the players lacked all credulity, it was almost sanitised as I remember all too well the carnage that was shown on our screens at the time. It would have been nice to have had a better portrayal of what actually took place to a country that was at a cross roads in its history and some could say is still paying the price today.

Ignoring the Reviews didn't pay off this time..

[Abbark · 3/10 · 15 October 2016]

This movie, to me, was extremely non believable considering that it is a true story based on the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Opening, we are introduced to our location, Tehran, Iran with a gathering of people at a party. From that moment, the first thought was that the selection on actors i.e. Selma Hayek and most others, were not cast correctly as Iranian descent/Middle Eastern actors. The set, background, was so fake, I felt like I was watching, and this is very difficult to describe, a clip on "how to make a film set look real: The beginning stages." From that moment on, not one set of dialogue, as a reviewer said before me, made any sense. Nothing was played out, and the movie lacked a true plot. This is a truly discouraging and disappointing experience while watching a movie based on the true events of the Jewish/Muslim conflict during the Iranian Revolution of the time. I would not watch this movie if you are familiar with the history, a true movie buff and critic, or put off by or offended by cultural/ethnicity casting. I believe what was done here was offensive. I do also think that many will find that this is a good movie and enjoyable, however, I hope that by picking certain actors in this movie was not the CSA or Directors idea of getting it attention, as this was a real and horrifying time in history for many.

Need more movies like this.

[ilcooney · 10/10 · 11 May 2021]

Enjoyed this historical film about Iran being torn apart for it's oil. Iranians citizens did not benefit from their own oil & lived poorly. Wealthy foreigners were targeted by the revolution & robbed. A beautiful country destroyed by greed vs fundamentalism.

Awful director and low quality Movie

[mahan1981 · 1/10 · 24 August 2021]

Awful director and low quality Movie Location is like afganistan Not Iran.