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• Written & Directed by Maryam Keshavarz
• Marakesh Films
• 2011
• 107 minutes
• Farsi with English subtitles
• Opens in New York City August 26; in other cities beginning September 2011
• winner of the Sundance 2011 Audience Award

Dangerous Liaisons

This Sundance award winner and runaway festival circuit hit concerns two teenage girls in modern day Tehran. Two young beauties from very different backgrounds, Shireen (Sarah Kazemy) and Atafeh (Nikohl Boosheri), carry on an illicit lesbian affair despite the restrictions on the movement and activities of women in Iran.


They go through different facets and phases of the rebellions and traditions of females in Iran: In school they are veiled from head to toe, at parties in the seedy underworld of illicit sex, drugs and banned music, they are (barely) dressed in sequins, heels and makeup. They also associate with subversive peers and dub the movies Milk and Sex and the City for revolutionary purposes. And then there is their private world of lesbian sexuality, beautifully played, framed and photographed.

Unfortunate Circumstances

When Atafeh’s brother Mehran (Reza Sixo Safai) returns home from drug rehab and indulges in super-religious worship as well as a multitude of unsavory behaviors and activities, life starts to get rough for the two young women. Mehran takes an interest in Shireen and, through a lot of intrigue and criminal activity, arranges for her to become his wife. I’m not giving anything away here when I tell you the film ends sadly. A lot of other intrigue moves the action forward; a lot of it is horribly violent and totally devastating and I won’t reveal it here.

However, if you are triggered by sexual violence, then this movie is not for you.

Fortunate Circumstances

Circumstance is an extremely well made film, finely tuned with excellent production values. And no wonder. With the support of the Sundance Screenwriters/Directors Lab, Tribeca All Access, the Adrienne Shelly Grant and gobs of other grants and awards, how could this first feature from experienced filmmaker Maryam Keshavarz not succeed? Keshavarz has also partnered with TakePart, which produces a website featuring daily articles and videos designed to inspire people to action. Aiming to engender curiosity, build awareness and compel positive social change in everyday life, TakePart also builds campaigns with partners "who want to bolster audiences with a message of social change." Find out more about helping Iranian women change their circumstances here: www.takepart.com/circumstance.

Perfect

My Rating: 5 stars. This film is pitch-perfect.

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