Tuesday, January 21, 2014

A divorce is a very painful moment in your life and in fact a very experience that help you remember your past life. The confrontation of what's left behind is the main plot of the Iranian director Asghar Farhadi "The Past", the story takes place in France where Ahmad (Ali Mostafat) return from Theran to finish his divorce papers with soon to be ex-wife Marie (BĂ©renice Bejo) and also visit the daughters of Marie previous marriages. Ahmad discover that Marie is already in a new relationship with an Arab man name Samir who has a son whose wife is in coma.

From the very begging Fahardi established very interesting film making elements in order explain his point on why the film is called "The Past" Ahmad arrived at the airport meeting Marie both seen divided by a soundproof glass, their expressions consist into a vivid metaphor of was left, dissolved emotions, good and bad memories but perhaps the glass represents inability to communicate which results into a divorce, Ahmad and Marie arrived at the car in the airport parking totally wet from a unexpected rain, you see the last sparkle of that relationship, you see their faces as a reflection picking the pieces of what's left.

Later Ahmad and Marie drive to pick up Lucie at the school, the daughter of Marie in a previous marriage, which have problems with Marie, because she disapproved Samir relationship with her mother. Again, Fahardi use the glass metaphor with Ahmad and cop who is asking him to move the car while he parked on a unauthorized section, the conversation is presented mute as hidden message, is Ahmad ability to offer solutions, by avoiding conflicts or perhaps find ways around.

That's how you finally discover in just two scenes how the main characters are going to play in this complex film. The story is revealed like a cop drama, where every revelation is painful but necessary for the conclusion.

Asghar Farhadi create another powerful story about difficult characters who still love their Arab roots, are dealing with new territories and new relationships.

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