NARGESS

Iran, 1992, 100 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Rakhshan Bani Etemad.

Nargess is of interest as a 90s Iranian melodrama. Audiences are able to look at the city of Teheran, its wealth and poverty, the atmosphere of life in an Iranian city.

The plot outline is familiar enough, a petty thief and his protector and dealer, the chance encounter with a young woman and the possibility of transformation of the thief. However, lies are involved, jealousies, the possibility of easy money through robberies to start a new life – but everything falling apart.

While the material is familiar, the perspective of life in Iran makes the film different and gives some insight into human nature in an unfamiliar part of the world to western audiences.

1.Interesting and entertaining melodrama? Familiar plot and characters? The Iranian background?

2.The city settings, the slums, poor suburbs, the contrast with offices, administration buildings, the home of the wealthy? The visuals of Teheran and of the Iranian landscapes? The musical score?

3.The title and the focus on Nargess rather than on the thief? Audiences identifying with her, her dilemma, her grief, her final stand?

4.The opening with the dramatics of the robbery, uncertainty about the status of the hero? Afagh and her hiding, Adel and his running, meeting up with Nargess and her father, his courtesy in helping them, the bag, the protection? The attraction to Nargess? His coming to see her again? Not telling the truth about himself and his wife? The proposal, the marriage? The visit of Afagh and the realisation of the truth? Adel and his involvements, being tracked by the police, arrested? Nargess and her disappointment? Going to the dealer and confronting him, finding out more about Adel? The visit of his wife and her staying with Nargess? Her pleased to get her husband out of prison? Her final success? His return, her pleading with him? His dilemmas, wanting to do the right thing? The pressure from Afagh and the story of the past, his coming to the city, her taking him in, the marriage? His life of crime, the robberies, dealing? The temptation of the final robbery, the safe, the security, the old man and his getting the money, falling to the ground, being taken by the pursuers? Adel and his escape with Afagh? Offering the money to Nargess and her refusal? Her leaving, Afagh and the money, the pursuit along the streets? Afagh’s death? The futility of the experience – the future, Adel and Nargess together or not?

5.Popular melodramatic plot, strong characterisations, credible situations, emotional responses? Hope for the future?