Ali Soozandeh, an Iranian-born filmmaker in Germany, uses rotoscope animation (essentially painting over live-action footage) in this film about the contradictions and hypocrisies of life in modern urban Iran. Tehran Taboo focuses on the stories of a handful of characters: Pari, a woman who works as a prostitute to support her mute son while her husband is in prison; Sara, a professional woman in an oppressive marriage and the early stages of a pregnancy she doesn't want; and Babek, a young musician who has a one-night stand with a girl who claims that she was a virgin and needs surgery to restore her maidenhead or her husband-to-be will kill them both. Through these tales, Soozandeh paints a portrait of a culture in which women have no rights (Pari's husband refuses to give her a divorce and she has no legal recourse) and where officials who enforce Islamic law are quick to indulge in the behavior for which they punish others. While it may sound salacious or exploitive, the film features nuanced characters in complex relationships, while also taking a serious look at the lives of the poor and disenfranchised. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)
Tehran Taboo
Kino Lorber, 94 min., in Farsi w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.99 Volume 33, Issue 5
Tehran Taboo
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: