The Wellington Film Society is back and last week it was all about Halloween with Daughters of Darkness, so this week, as it’s “Fireworks Monday” we have the film Fireworks Wednesday (hey, close enough…)

Actually, this Iranian film from 2006 is – literally – about fireworks; though it’s a new year celebration rather than any acknowledgment of old Guido Fawkes…

Writing in Time Out, Geoff Andrew explains that, “ the story takes place as Iranians celebrate New Year by spring-cleaning and lighting firecrackers” – with a metaphorical aspect to the fireworks too: “when Rouhi (Taraneh Alidoosti), a young bride-to-be working for a cleaning agency, turns up at the apartment of a couple about to go on holiday, she’s drawn into an explosive domestic conflict. What distinguishes the film is the way Farhadi keeps us guessing as to what exactly is happening and why; repeatedly shifting our point of view, he forces us to question our assumptions about characters and their reliability. This compelling, corrosive account of male-female relationships in today’s Tehran is tempered by genuine compassion for the individuals concerned; wisely, Farhadi never serves judgement on them in their troubled pursuit of truth, love and happiness. Intelligent, illuminating and directed with unflashy expertise.”

For full notes click here.

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