THE NIGHT GUARDIAN

Iran, 2023, 118 minutes, Colour.

Touraj Alvant, Laleh Marzhan, Mohsen Kiayee, Kiumars Poorahmad.

Directed by Reza Mirkarimi.

A moving film about a good man. The director, Reza Mirkarimi, has been making quality humane films for more than 20 years, focusing on ordinary people, often struggling people, but who have an innate goodness motivating them in all that they do. He has won many awards, including Catholic awards.

We are introduced to Rasool, a 25-year-old from the country, in the city looking for a job, something of a simple soul. Suddenly, a man in a car picks him up, taking him to a seemingly abandoned building, offering him the job of nightwatchman. The task seems simple. He has some basic accommodation. And he is delighted, even borrowing the boss’s phone to ring his family with the good news.

Rasool doesn’t know or even dream, but we do, that he is being exploited. The situation is a scam, partly built apartments, payments laid down and shady dealings with the finances. We realise that Rasool does have some shrewd moments but is prepared to believe that everyone is motivated by good will. In fact, while the boss does set up Rasool to take blame for the scam, even prison, he is not entirely heartless and does want to do Rasool some good and provide for him.

But, more importantly, there is an old man at the site who has been working there for a long time, has a lot of advice for Rasool, encourages him to look at the young lady who delivers food to the site. And, as always, Rasool follows advice, attracted to the young lady, visiting the home, discovering the old man is her father and is keen to find a husband for his daughter. And this is complicated because the old man, also a good man, is moving into dementia.

In fact, this aspect of the film offers us a very nice, in the best sense, love story and remains, complicated by Rasool’s sometimes reticence, his courtesy, his deference, and the discovery that his potential wife has a severe hearing problem.

There are some lovely scenes where Rasool’s family come from the countryside, are entertained in the city, two families meeting, talking, eating together, with great hopes.

As indicated, simple and good souls live in a very complex world, and can easily become victims. But, it is a pleasure to watch Rasool, the good man, his ups and downs, his surviving, some moments of resentment, but always wanting to think the best of people.

The film may not win the Oscar but it is well worth viewing.

1. The work of the director for more than 20 years, a strong humanity?
2. The traditions of Iranians cinema, strong on human values, local focus, yet universal appeal, values and themes? Many awards? Catholic and ecumenical awards?
3. The setting, the city of Teheran, the streets, the buildings, accommodation, the different areas, the local monuments, the background of the mountains? The musical score?
4. The portrait of Rasool, his age, coming from the country, his military service, skills and lack of skills, a good man, rather naive? The beginning, looking for work, not succeeding, being picked up by the boss, targeted by the boss, offered the job of nightwatchman, his accepting, gratitude? The partly built complex, open spaces, rooms? Rasool settling in?
5. The background of the building, the boss, his wife, the meetings, the plans, the investments, the money, the scam? The range of people investing and the later reactions? The workers, on the job, then leaving, the previous watchman being sacked, his later return, stealing, the conversation with Rasool?
6. Rasool, occupying himself, conscientious, disturbances in the night, intruders? The visit of the boss, his liking Rasool – the later betrayal, the boss making Rasool sign the documents, incriminating himself, getting the boss of, Rasool and the imprisonment, the effect, leaving, disillusioned with the boss, yet the boss getting him comfortable accommodation?
7. The old man, working on the site for so long, his skills? The discussions with Rasool? The delivery of the food, Rasool observing, following the young woman, searching? The old man in the setup, the revelation that this was his daughter, Rasool and the house, the welcome, the hospitality, the later visit of Rasool’s family and their welcome?
8. The young woman, her deafness, her work, the arranged marriage, the relationship with Rasool, bonding with him, support?
9. The old man, friendly, erratic, the discovery that he was the girl’s father, the arrangement of the marriage, his mental health, deterioration and behaviour, dementia?
10. Rasool, the strange adventures of his life, the job, the family, responsibilities, his being transformed when dressed up to represent the boss, the happy celebration of the marriage, life together with his wife, settling, the apartment, the hopes for the future?
11. The story of a simple good man – and his friendships, but his being exploited?