The White Balloon (Panahi, 1995): BFI Southbank, NFT2 6.20pm
Chicago Reader review:
The most popular non-American movie shown at the 1995 Cannes film
festival, this fresh and unpredictable comic “thriller” from Iran is a
first feature by Jafar Panahi, a former assistant to the great Abbas
Kiarostami (Through the Olive Trees), who's credited, with Panahi
and Parviz Shahbazi, with the screenplay. The film describes in real
time the adventures of a seven-year-old girl and her older brother in
the streets of Tehran during the 85 minutes that elapse just before the
celebration of the Iranian New Year. After convincing her mother she
needs another goldfish for the celebration, the girl sets off to buy
one, but twice en route to the store loses the banknote she's been
given; most of the remainder of the film is devoted to her efforts to
get the money back. If the plot sounds slender, the movie is both
gripping and charming, with well-sketched characters and expert
storytelling—and Panahi's efforts to redefine our sense of time along
the way are remarkable. A masterpiece, one that grows in impact and
subtlety over repeated viewings.' Jonathan Rosenabum
Here is an extract.
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