BIDAR SHOW, AREZOO (WAKE UP, AREZOO)

Iran, 2005, 90 minutes, Colour.
Behnaz Jafari.
Directed by Kianousch Ayari.

Wake Up, Arezoo is a moving drama set in the immediate aftermath of the tragic earthquake in Iran, destroying the city of Bam and its surroundings, the homes of many people as well as many ancient monuments. The earthquake of Bam elicited worldwide response for helping people through this tragedy.

The film shows the story of a young teacher who is staying in a village outside the city of Bam. After the earthquake, she emerges from the rubble. After going into Bam itself, she discovers what has happened, helps with the care for bodies, especially those of women. A criminal asks her to help with the care of his mother, wife and daughter.

The film, made on location, shows the aftermath of the earthquake, the devastation, the effect on people. The film is an interesting story of Iranian life as well as the response to a disaster.

1.The impact of the film? Set in Bam in the aftermath of the earthquake? The visuals, the surrounding countryside, the city itself, the collapse of the buildings, the modern ones, the ancient monuments? The devastation?

2.The pace of the film, the personalised story, giving both human interest as well as the background on a wider scale?

3.The editing, the effect on the audience, immersing the audience in the experience of the earthquake and its aftermath? The musical score?

4.The nature of the earthquake, unexpected, people not anticipating it, going about their ordinary life, its striking and the transformation? The immediate aftermath?

5.The portrait of the survivors, the women, their frantic running? Exhaustion?

6.The prisoners, the prison itself, the escape? The mother, Arezoo, help?

7.The young woman, her experience, coming out of the rubble, going to the town? Helping get people out of the rubble, the girl, the sister?

8.The relief work – and the relief of those who survived, yet their grief? Generosity and people helping?

9.The contrast with the looting, people lacking scruple?

10.The images of desperation, hard work, the need for food? The overseas aid?

11.The days passing, some semblance of order, people becoming calmer? People and the trek to Teheran?

12.The prison, the prisoners, their freedom, the need for setting up the prison again?

13.The children, the need for establishing order, teaching? The young woman and her teaching, her experience – and the audience understanding what had happened through her?