TALAYE SORGH (CRIMSON GOLD)
Iran, 2002, 97 minutes, Colour.
Hussein Emadeddin.
Directed by Jafar Panahi.
From a screenplay by Abbas Kierostami, Jafir Panahi has created a character portrait of a former soldier who has fallen on hard times, is ill, is overweight, is supposed to marry the sister of his best friend. He is tempted to commit
a robbery in a jewellery store where he has been snubbed by the manager. The film opens with the robbery gone wrong and then goes back to develop the portrait and lead us back to the robbery.
It gives Panahi the opportunity to picture the poorer side of Tehran where so many are trapped and to show us the
extraordinarily lavish life of the wealthy. By the end of the film, we have got to know the thief very well and wish that he was not doomed to his pessimistic end.
1. The impact of the film? Life in Iran? As different from life in other cities and cultures in the world?
2. The Iran settings, interiors, the homes of the poor, of the rich?
3. The title, the jewellery with blood on it?
4. The prologue, the single shot, Hussein and his robbing the store, exasperated at the manager, shooting him, the decision to shoot himself? Ali waiting outside, the crowds gathering, watching?
5. Hussein and Ali, on their bike, discussions, friendship, Ali getting the documents for the marriage, Hussein marrying his sister? The situation? In the bar, the tea, the conman and his long lecture on honesty in robbing people, knowing what was being taken and making it worthwhile? Ali and Hussein and the sister casing the jewellery shop, trying out the jewellery? Their being snubbed? The forming of the plan?
6. The portrait of Hussein, his age, military background, fat, unwell, taking the cortisone? With the conman and listening to his conversation, the robbery theory? Delivering pizzas, at the police siege, with the people going in and out, his waiting, giving pieces (pizzas?) to those waiting, his discussions with the young soldier? Meeting his friend from the army who gave him the tip? Going to the jeweller's shop, wearing the suit, his fiancee and her response, his moodiness? His delivering the pizza to the rich man, his girlfriend being out, the long conversation, the drinking, wandering the lavishly affluent house, into the swimming pool? Going next day to rob the jeweller's shop and the film returning to where it began?
7. Ali, friendship with Hussein, not as bright? Sharing conversations? The preparations for the marriage? His surviving the robbery?
8. The small gallery of minor characters: the friend that Hussein met while delivering the pizza, their reminiscences of old days? The personality of the conman, his talking to the two, his theories about honesty and robbery? The young solder, fifteen, obeying the rules, having the pizza after seeing his officer do so? The rich man, his wealthy house, wanting to talk?
9. A glimpse of human nature, crime in Iran? The moral issues, religious issues?
