SHERKARCHI (THE HUNTER)

Iran, 2010, 92 minutes, Colour.
Raffi Pitts.
Directed by Raffi Pitts.

A stark drama about a former prisoner, played by the writer-director, Raffi Pitts, who discovers his wife is dead and whose daughter is missing. He takes to the hills and stakes out cars, finally being pursued by the police. The film is a message film about the harsh state of affairs in Iran in the first decade of the 21st century.

1.Iran after the 1979 revolution, Iran in the 21st century, unrest? The context of police, insurgents, protests, prison?

2.The city of Teheran, the cityscapes, the hills, freeways, tunnel? Realistic?

3.The mountains, the roads, the weather, the forests? The score?

4.The introduction to Ali, out of prison, his identity, his family, his relaxation, taking his rifle, hunting? His extended family? Friends? His relationship with his wife and daughter?

5.The end of the credits sequence, the photo of the cyclists from the early revolution, prepared to ride over the American flag? Contemporary protests?

6.The information given by the police, the death of his wife, his disbelief, explaining what she would be doing, picking up the daughter from school? The photo in her bag, identifying her and Ali, the address? The mystery of the daughter? Missing? Ali’s visit to the morgue and identifying his wife?

7.Going to his mother, entrusting the cat, not giving explanations, the occasion of his daughter’s birthday?

8.Going to the hill outside the city, the stakeout, aiming his rifle at cars, shooting the police car, shooting the policeman?

9.His escape, driving, booking into the hotel? Ultimately being pursued, the police?

10.The chase, the long sequence of the chase, the skids, the crash and his fleeing? Through the forest? The police in pursuit, catching him?

11.The police, the corrupt officer, the seemingly decent man? Chasing, catching Ali, the clashes, being lost in the forest?

12.Finding the building, the second policeman and his going searching, return, harsh treatment, criticism of the other policeman? The younger policeman, complaining about his superior? Giving Ali the gun, freeing him? Ali and his changing uniform with the other policeman? His being shot?

13.Iran, violence, authorities? And the air of mystery pervading police action and imprisonment?