Panj é asr (2003)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Samira Makhmalbaf

Writers:

Mohsen Makhmalbaf (writer)
Samira Makhmalbaf (writer)

Release Date:

20 August 2003 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Islam | Horse | Female President | Time For Title | Afghanistan

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Agheleh Rezaie	...	Noqreh
Abdolgani Yousefrazi	...	Father
Razi Mohebi	...	Poet
Marzieh Amiri	...	Leylomah

Also Known As:

À cinq heures de l'après-midi (France)
At Five in the Afternoon (International: English title)

Runtime:

France:105 min

Country:

Iran | France

Language:

Dari

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | Sweden:7 | Norway:7 | Germany:6 | Italy:T | Finland:S

Company:

Bac Films

Movie Connections:

Featured in Lezate divanegi (2003)

Stunning. An eye opener!

This movie tugged at my heartstrings delivering an unforgettable portrayal of Afghan life. It's a 10 out of 10, poetically revealing modern life in a city relegated to Neanderthal living conditions after the Taliban was sent packing.

The Film's title is the title of an extraordinarily relevant poem, recited twice during the film.

Though a tough way to learn Farsi (it's subtitled - phew!) "At Five in the Afternoon" awakened me to the plight of the poor souls coping with the rubble and 19th century technology.

The film describes (teenaged) Noqreh's life as she attends school and struggles to discover her role in society now that "any" job is within her reach. She decides to become the country's President.

The zesalots may be gone ... but there's plenty of cranky, old, conservative men (her father among them) who long for the "good ole'days". The country's problems (among them: live buried mines, religious extremism, the absence of basic social commodities - water / education - after several wars) serve as the antagonist as Noqreh's father carts her and her extended family across the Afghan dustbowl in search of her brother, The film moves slowly and deliberately, but I guarantee you'll be paid for your time investment with a once in a lifetime education about Afghanistan.

I hope you find a copy or a showing, and allocate the 2 hours to let it wash over you and take hold.