THE MOVIE PAGES in association with impact internet services presents Samira Makhmalbaf's BLACKBOARDS blackboards.htm

Insight Warning!! If your not all that familiar with the content or background of "foreign language" film, the sight of a 4 1/2 star rating on a film like "Blackboards" could be a trap for young players. I say that because there is an inherantly deceptive quality when it comes to comparing foreign language films with what most westerners define as quality film. That is not to take anything away from "Blackboards" the latest film from the Makhmalbaf stable. When comparing "Blackboards" to other films within its genre it ranks amongst the best. But be warned because for your every-day cinema-goer this film [along with a whole host of purist "foreign language films"] would turn out to be a disaster. Sort of like asking the kids to giveup Pokemon to watch Japanese traditional opera. Get my drift. Of course there are foreign language films that are highly westernized and these can be compared well with "hollywood" biggies. "Blackboards" is definately not in this league. I mean how many Iranian films can you take in a year. I could be flipant and say not too bloody many! I sometimes even wonder if the local iranian, kurdish population rushes out to see the latest film from the homeland [their most probably out watching Star Wars Episode 2] but then they don't want to be reminded of how harsh the old life was in the old country. On that note [and hoping you've got my drift, wink wink] let's get serious.
As far as this genre of film goes "Blackboards" is certainly worth a look at. For a start you'll get an idea of the contrast between the terrain of Kurdistan in comparrison to the luxuriant surrounds we enjoy. "Blackboards" will make you appreciate the education system we have and how us soft westerners should never whinge again about our hardships in trying to get an education. In "Blackboards" we get to see what are truly "portable" classrooms. It should serve to show us the joys of having a doctor at our beck and call, although there are still a few aussies who reckon the health system stinks. Westerners will also gain an appreciation from "Blackboards" that our kids don't have to go to work until they have left school and that the job prospects they are offered don't involve smuggling, getting shot at [in the least] or the ever present threat of literally being killed on the job. Come to think of it perhaps there should be a law that says all westerners should have to see at least one film a year like "Blackboards". At least here in the land of oz it would show us how lucky we are to live in the "lucky" country. The Story

High in the mountains a group of teachers, carrying their blackboards on their backs, are searching for new places and new students to teach. Suddenly the noise of a helicopter is heard They must ensure their own safety and so they run, they seek refuge for to die here in the stark barren hills would deny the young an opportunity to better themselves through learning. Each must take a different path to find their students. Each path is trecherous, narrow and will take them up and down the unforgiving mountains. But they struggle on carrying their precious blackboards and a supply of chalk. Reeboir will meet a group of young boys working as smugglers. He will experience their dogged detremination and their death. Said finds a village but no one will speak to him. Later he will meet a group of old men, a woman and a child. What will he find amongst the mountains and this fragile group of pilgrims. The Verdict "A gripping, heartwrenching film that exposes the danger, the harshness, the struggle and sometimes, the futillity of life through the eyes of a teacher. Another triumph from the Makhmalbaf dynasty of inspiring, tireless and sensitive Iranian film-makers."

What The Critics Say

"As I read the film, it's all about the struggle to survive and maintain culture, meanings, human connections - in a landscape that literally gives you almost nothing to work with."
Jake Wilson URBAN CINEFILE
"The 20 year old filmmaker relies on the most basic forms of technical and dramatic elements, from hand held camera and wind-distorted sound, to local villagers as performers."
Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE
"The brutal truth of Blackboards will not leave you for some." "Surreally real, Blackboards is another striking insight into living conditions few in Australai will comprehend."
Ben McEachen ADVERTISER
"Blackboards is an extraordinary achievement for an extraordinary young film director ... a film genius of staggering maturity"
Sally Weale THE GUARDIAN
"Blackboards once more shows the clarity and grace of the new Iranian cinema."
Peter Bradshaw THE GUARDIAN
""Blackboards" is likely to be one of the most original and potent movies of the year."
David Wood BBC FILM REVIEW
"Harsh moments of reality alternate with surrealistic episodes almost reminiscent of Tarkovsky, or, thanks to the fog and the showers of bullets, Angelopolous: a scene of a man shoveling straw into the air for no distinct purpose is clarified when he pulls out a letter for a teacher to read from his son, who is in jail in Iraq."
INDIEWIRE
"Patience is needed, and a willingness to read into the fable some of the messages about present-day Iran (and Iraq) that the makers dare not put more plainly on the screen. A thoughtful, often visually striking agitprop work."
Alexander Walker EVENING STANDARD

The Cast

Said Mohamadi
Behnaz Jafari
Bahman Ghobadi
Mohamad Karim Rahmati
Rafat Moradi
Mayas Rostami
Saman Akbari
Ahmad Bahrami
Mohamad Moradi
Karim Moradi
Hassan Mohamadi
Rasool Mohamadi
Somaye Veisee

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Said
Halaleh
Reeboir
Father
Ribvar
Young boy storyteller
Group leader
Marriage registrar
Match maker
Old man
Child
The boy porter
Little girl