Monday, August 31, 2009
Been thinking about this movie for several days, Ayneh (The Mirror), directed by Jafar Panahi (1999). [Spoilers to follow, be forewarned]
It has an interesting structure, something about which caused me to relate it to ares of music I generally concern myself with here.
The movie begins with a simple enough premise: a seven-year old girl, one arm in a cast, leaves her school in Tehran one afternoon and her mother doesn't come by to pick her up. All her friends have gone home and the remaining school personnel are somewhat indifferent to her plight, eventually foisting her on a man with a scooter, who also seems relatively unconcerned with the young girl's actual safety. One of the clear subtexts in the film is the miserable way women are treated in Iran, their issues often dismissed out of hand if not derided. The girl wanders through the streets of Tehran, trying to get strangers to bring her home, a location of which she has only a vague idea. One of the fascinating aspects of the movie thus far is that it was shot on the streets of Tehran as is, cinema verité style so the viewer gets an excellent idea of the everyday activity taking place there, the massive amount of traffic through which she and others dangerously thread their way included.
Fine, all well and good. One is rather touched at her ordeal and the film is well-shot enough to maintain interest.
About 40 minutes in, the girl has secured a ride on a bus she has been told will head in the direction of her home. She's lodged herself near the driver but the front of the bus is reserved for men--women must huddle in the rear. There's something of an argument going on between the driver and the person who put her there when, all of a sudden, the young actress, Mina Mohammed Khani, breaks character and has something of a tantrum, declaring, "I don't want to act anymore!", removes her hijab and the fake cast on her arm and angrily leaves the bus, seating herself on the steps of a nearby store. A camera pans toward the back of the bus where we see the film crew in a dither, the director ordering a female adviser to talk with Mina, to try to convince her to continue. Several people try to no avail, mina continuing to change into her own clothes, in a total snit.
Panicked discussion ensues among the crew. One of them realizes, however, that Mina hasn't removed her mic an that they're still able to pick up transmission. Realizing she's in the middle of Tehran, far from her home, in essentially the exact same situation as her character (hence, "The Mirror"), they make the rather amazing (casual? callous? negligent?) decision to continue to film her from the bus. So they do, following her going from person to person, place to place, trying to get home.
It's a pretty amazing shift as the viewer goes from more or less caring about her character to seriously caring about the welfare of this little girl, wandering through traffic, engaging not always kind strangers, getting into cars, etc. (though she does so with determination and pluck).
But it was the act of being willing to change gears mid-film that made me think of some (possibly weak) connection to certain areas of music. Going from a scripted form, though loosely so and incorporating much improvisation, to an entirely freely improvised one where the structure is outside the control of the director and forms on its own. I guess more than anything, it was that willingness, even if it was more or less forced by circumstance, to go with something outside oneself, to surrender to happenstance with the knowledge that, maybe it'll lead to something even better than you'd planned (which it certainly does, in this case). Something akin, say, to Rowe's use of radio in AMM, to be willing to "disrupt" a perfectly fine performance with an intrusion of the unknown that may or may not be appropriate, that may cause the concert to crash and burn or not.
Maybe I'm reading too much into it but, whatever, it was a unique kind of viewing experience for me. (I'm almost counting on being told the dozens of times this trope has been used before....) Perhaps it has to do more with decisions made in real-time, a rare enough occurrence in a film that (unlike, say, Godard) didn't begin the day with that in mind as a possibility.
Worth seeing for any number of reasons, anyway.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
83 comments:
I love this movie too, and I appreciate your discussion of the metaphoric situation within the movie and it's possible relevance to improvised music. I think much of what you write is useful as a way to think about the similar situations of the film's story and improvisation, but I think you may be confusing the story of the Mirror with the reality of making the Mirror.
I don't know what else you may have seen of the particular arty strain of Iranian films that were distributed in the West during the 1980s & '90s, but Jafar Panahi, Mohsen Makhmalbaf & Abbas Kiarostami, among others, made many films during this period that played with the constructed nature of fictional films in pretty sophisticated ways.
In other words, I'm pretty sure that Jafar Panahi didn't really go seamlessly from making a fictional film about a lost schoolgirl trying to find her way home by herself to making a documentary film about a child actress trying to find her way home by herself. The whole film is fiction.
I've seen the Mirror about 4-5 times, but I haven't seen it in about 3 years, so my sense of specific details probably isn't perfect, but consider what it looks like on the bus when the actress makes her decision to stop acting.
This isn't some kind of cinema verite moment. The entire back of the bus is filled with cameras, sound recording equipment, various members of the film crew etc. Yet earlier in the movie, when the girl is getting on that bus, she first considers sitting in the back with the women and then goes up near the driver so that she can talk with him about where she needs to go and whether he can help her get there. In these scenes, there are passengers throughout the bus, the back of the bus is not filled with gear and members of the film crew.
After the little girl keaves the film crew behind, she meets several of the people she had met in the first half of the film and has further conversations with them. There are a few things about these events that argue for the whole film being fictitious.
Going from the general to the specific, the first is that Tehran is a very big city, Wikipedia lists it as the 16th largest in the world with nearly 8 million people. How likely is it that the girl would again meet not just one, but several of the actors we've seen earlier in the film?
I've noted above that at the time of the girl's breakdown, the back of the bus was full of crew and gear. This makes it very unlikely that first half of the film was created in real time. How likely is it that actors the girl met in earlier scenes would be in the same neighborhoods they were filmed in on some other day if they weren't hired to be in that same neighborhood again?
While the girl apparently still has her body mic on, the audio for all of her interactions with other people are well recorded, not muffled as if the other speakers were being recorded only through the single mic she's still wearing. Again, how likely is it that this very limited recording tech would be adequate for the finished product we heasr in the movie?
I don't think any of this takes away from your argument, but what you saw in the Mirror was NOT improvised in the moment.
Hi Herb,
Thanks for the considered response!
You may well be correct--I can't find a definitive answer after a (brief) googling. Holden's review in the NYT kind of suggests there's at least a half and half (in the second half) aspect to the truth/fiction scenario.
I hadn't thought the first part was filmed in real-time (I may have given that impression) though I think lengthy segments may have been. There's discussion, when she quits, that they just want to get in one more scene that day, implying other days of filming.
I also had the idea that, when the quitting occurs, they weren't too far from the terminal. So encountering the old woman on the bench that she'd previously met on the bus didn't bother me. Were there others?
The mic cutting in and out also (perhaps artificially?) leaned me toward a documentary feel. I hadn't thought of the clarity of the sound--but what do I know about recording technology?
But, as I said, you may be totally correct or maybe it's a bit in between (she's still acting but everyone she encounters isn't?) Dunno! The girl's tantrum convinced me, but maybe I'm a sucker for that. ;-)
If it's a movie about a movie being filmed...I have to say, that makes it a little less interesting to me, a good bit more contrived. Probably screws up my improv analogy as well.
So it goes.
I saw this film soon after it came out, and after I had just visited iran. I think the film has a subtle political message, which is the only kind it could have. The little girl, to me, represents the iranian people, for whom the revolution (since 1979) has been directed like the script of a movie. When the little girl quits, it is like the iranian people saying that they don't want to act in this movie of islamic fundamentalism any more, and the have the courage to disobey. I'd be interested in whether iranians have similar reactions to mine. I am not iranian - I just visited there once. - Todd D.
Currently free online movie programs can be viewed on the mobdro application and the installation is available at: https://techbigs.com/mobdro.html
Hi, are you interested for the slap kings mod apk website to get the latest and free tech updates? We are also providing hotspot shield premium mod apk
i am lucky to think about the creative of the art which is directlty related to our team member Amazon Prime Mod Apk Tech Prey
So some buddy is confused to creat the one of the beauty of the content of the site is COC Unlimited Everything Android
Download the best music APK to listen the music online and offline http://smartandroidfun.com/soundcloud-mod-apk/
Free Pandora Premium APK available
http://smartandroidfun.com/pandora-premium-mod-apk/
Download to play the guitar online
http://smartandroidfun.com/ultimate-guitar-tabs-chords-apk/
spotify premium is avail here spotify premium download
download new gb whatsapp apk latest version v7.25
download new gb whatsapp apk official version v8.40
thank you for this informative post Hotstar Premium moded apk APKWIND
i am lucky to think about the creative of the art which is directlty related to our team membe Hotstar Premium apk for android technoquack
aplicativo do whatsapp gb
configuração do whatsapp gb
people are told me the game of the paly is better then any one else ipl astrology predictions today
https://iplpredictiont20.com/dream11-ipl-2020-schedule-team/
fabulous article thanks
https://ext-5532965.livejournal.com/
app developed by revdl, you can download it for free whatsapp for pc windows 7.
great article usefull information thanks for sharing this posthttps://sketchfab.com/jacklee204/
Super Article. Really Informative and Helpful. Thanks for sharing it with us. Appreciate it. Check out CouponDhamaka for exclusive coupons, discounts, and offers.
Intresting
Thop TV Apk
Your blog is really so amazing and I have one suggestion for you that you must use the Intro Maker Mod Apk to edit the best quality of videos for your blog.
Get latest Army app Hamraaz which is a great tool to check your payment related information and basic service related data.
Watch Wrestling Online - WWE, AEW, RAW, Smackdown, Lucha Undrground, watch impact wrestling live Wrestling and Many More Shows Watch Free watch wrestling wwe
I hope to see more post from you. Thank you for sharing this post. Your blog posts are more interesting and impressive
PF Withdrawal | PF Withdrawal Online
Thank you so much for sharing this post, I appreciate your work. It was a great informative post. Go so many useful and informative links.Loved your writings also. Concept of the topic was well discussed. Love to come here again.
IPL toss bhavishyavani 2021
IPL all Match bhavishyavani 2021
आज का आईपीएल मैच कौन जीतेगा भविष्यवाणी
When you get the special mod version in the season on the site is that you love most ApkDon
Then you come to great place because lots off people in my comment box ask to give the real hack version of PubG Mobile Mod Apk Health Pubg Lite Hack
Need for Speed Mod Apk is one of the most famous racing games cherished by our generation. If you didn’t play this NFS Mod Apk
Hello guys today i have come with one of the most trending app now a days. Spotify premium apk is one the best music app through which you can listen thousands of music and podcast at Free of cost.spotify premium apk 2021 offline download
You won’t have enough time that is much view TV. Hearing voices which are everyone’s Reliance Corporate IT Park Limited – an application business features circulated a credit card application called JioTV Mod Apk to please people JIOTV Mod APk
you have a great article such a usefull information.
visum voor India
Thanks for sharing that post. See the Netflix mod apk. I love it!!!
Do you know about Crunchyroll premium mod apk. This app have many feature. Try that. See the Make concrete in Minecraft. This is very useful for you. See the Hulu error code p-ts207. You can do splite screen on chromebook very easily. Try this. Are you music lover see Avg cleaner pro apk article. see archero mod apk.
download latest version anyapk and mod apk showbox apk download
Appreciate it for this great post. I'm glad I found this web site on google. Foreign visitors should apply for Turkey visa online. Online Visa provides fast secure visa services.
Really good work. Keep it up. An ERP solution can increase productivity & efficiency.
Excellent work.. Thank you for this wonderful post. Foreign travelers who wish to apply for Azerbaijan visa must check the Azerbaijan visa requirement before filling the application.
Now you have great login idea to run the compaign perfectmoney.com/
After reading this I thought it was extremely and very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together. Eligible citizens can apply for a South Africa online visa through a simple online application form to obtain an approved e-Visa electronically linked to their passport.
Excellent work.Thank you for this wonderful post. Check the UK lottery result is all about the Thunderball lottery.thunderball results for tonight
Download Producer Choose your Star MOD APK (MOD, Free/Shopping Unlimited Money and gems) Free For Android under here you easily play this game and use unlimited coins, upgrade till MAX. This is awesome for new guys here you can download the official apk it is 100% safe, and this Download Producer Choose your Star apk is amazing now enjoy. Here you got its working hurry up guys.
Producer Choose your Star mod apk
Youtube Blue Apk - Someone on Facebook shared this video of famous Youtuber PewDiePie, and it blew my mind. It was the most amazingly random video I’ve ever seen him make, and I just had to share it with everyone here. What did you think of the video Youtube Blue Apk
Set Orientation Apk how we can use this apk in android.
NSD Tracking Stands For nsd courier tracking Which Is A Company That Is Always Busy Helping Their Customers And Providing Their Parcels Very Fast.
You now have a great login ideas for running the contest perfectmoney.com
clash royale apk indir game After the clash of clans playing royale clans are relatively easy as the characters of both games resemble each other.
Nice site thanks for sharing Also click here for see the all tracking courier.aaa cooper tracking
Hello thanks for sharing Also click here for check the new uk lottery result.
thunderball results tonight saturday
Thanks for sharing this info!If you want to get your live parcel so click startracktracking.
pitney bowes tracking
Do you know that the Mod APK of Node Video Editor is the one that creates professional looking videos.
This is indeed an amazing article. You may use Spotify Premium, a one of the best music listening app published by https://starmodapk.com.
For all the young people in America and around the world who enjoy cartoons and books, the WebComics Apk is a fantastic application. With the help of this great article, we will provide you with an overview of the latest WebComics Mod Apk premium features, as well as an honest application review from users. Download this stunning app if you want to download this addictive game, you will have the access to enjoy the ultimate experience.
click here. https://apkshut.com/webcomics-mod-apk/
best apps to watch tv shows for free
how to get free skins in fortnite
Free skins in fortnite
how to get verified on snapchat
how to connect nintendo switch to laptop
This article is helping me a lot. Keep writing posts like this. I love to read posts like this.
Inshot Pro Apk
Garena Free Fire Mod Apk
Pubg Mobaile Mod Apk
Subway Surfers Mod Apk
health benefits and tips
get rid of yellow teeth
get rid of yellow teeth
reasons why you can not build muscles
myths and benefits of swimming
important health benefits of an apple
You have now got some fantastic login option to enter the competition perfectmoney.com
The Article designs are very nice and this is a very unique content than any other designing blogs in my point of view. Keep updating more in future.
Here My website for Netflix MOD APK check out for all sorts of MOD APK.
ShowBOX APK Zee5 MOD APK Spotify Premium APK
Best Fantasy Football Names
Odell Beckham JR Fantasy
Nick Chubb Fantasy Names
Kyler Murray Fantasy Team Names
Clever Fantasy Football Names
Davante Adams Fantasy Names
Thank you. read more
Download the latest version of all types. huntingsky
Thanks for sharing amazing information keep posting. Mini Militia Ranks List
Check out our website best muck boots for pheasant hunting
apksprofree Free download website for everything unlocked free game feature available there safe and source site download and install your favorite application free.
Great article… Thanks forca.nu
Great article. However, if you want to download apps like applob apk have a look at apk bridge.
The perfect Money is a secure system. Security of accounts is of the highest priority. If a brand new account is attempted to be accessed via an IP address or a browser, the attempt to sign in to access an account, it is initially rejected, and the system sends a message to the email address of the user address along with a pin code to confirm that the account owner who is logging into the account. The user then has to enter the code in order to gain access. This is a process that is automatically that is enabled on all accounts.
This is an outstanding article. Now you can enjoy all premium features of Tuning Club Online and Speed Moto Dash Simulator racing games published by APK-360.
If you are interested in the best and hottest ringtone song right now, you can click here to update it.
You may review all the information on Turkey visa requirements for Indian citizens here. A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into Turkey, a completed visa application form, and a current passport-sized photo are all prerequisites for Indian nationals seeking visas. Ensuring that the necessary paperwork is correctly created and submitted.
People can now apply for a Kenya evisa to make the process of travelling to Kenya easier. With the help of this electronic visa system, travellers may easily get their visas online before their journey. One can apply for a Kenya eVisa online in the convenience of their home or workplace by following a simple process.
An Invitation letter for visa application is a formal document issued by an individual or organization inviting someone to visit a particular country. It typically includes important details such as the purpose of the visit, duration of stay, accommodation arrangements, and the inviter's contact information. The invitation letter serves as supporting evidence for the visa application, demonstrating the purpose and legitimacy of the trip. It is essential to follow the specific requirements and guidelines set by the embassy or consulate when preparing an invitation letter.
Perfect Money is best payment processor in the world Perfect Money Login - perfect money e-voucher.
At Healing Buddha, each session is uniquely crafted to meet the individual needs of clients, ensuring a personalized path to restoration.
pranic healing
Explore the latest trends and transformative ideas that are shaping the business world.
theglobalhues
You're doing a really good job with your reports, and I'm always amazed by how well you know your stuff. Keep doing what you're doing, and remember that I'm here for you.
Enthralling piece! Your blog post is like a journey into the heart of human thought, where every sentence unveils a new facet of our complex psyche. It's as if you've unlocked a treasure trove of insights, offering readers a glimpse into the depths of their own minds. Your ability to articulate the nuances of human experience is truly remarkable, evoking a sense of wonder with each word. Here's to more enlightening explorations through your thought-provoking prose.
Your blog is a sanctuary for the wandering mind, a refuge where ideas take flight and dreams find their voice. With each word, you weave a tapestry of thought, inviting us to explore the boundless realms of imagination. Your prose is a symphony of expression, resonating with the rhythms of intellect and emotion.
Unlock the power of seamless payments with Perfect Money Login online. Whether you're an individual or a business, our platform offers secure, fast, and reliable solutions for managing your finances globally.
Post a Comment