Mourning

Mourning is a spellbinding drama film projected beautifully in a minimalistic yet profound way, directed by Morteza Farshbaf and released in 2011. This Iranian movie stars Kiomars Giti, Sharareh Pasha, and Amir Hossein Maleki in pivotal roles. Exhibiting various shades of the human psyche, familial affection, and emotions, Mourning provides a new dimension to the Iranian cinema.

The film unrolls as a unique kind of road movie. However, instead of the usual adventurous or exciting happenings, it features an unlikely setup that explores human relationships and individual reactions to unforeseen events and circumstances. A recurring theme in the film is the exploration of communication barriers and misunderstanding, which are presented subtly yet tautly to have a strong impact on the audience.

Kiomars Giti is a lovable and compelling protagonist, playing a deaf and mute character. There's something mesmerizing about his quiet yet expressive portrayal that makes it an unforgettable performance. Sharareh Pasha lends excellent support with her naturalistic acting, portraying a woman with her own bundle of nuances and emotional perplexities. Young Amir Hossein Maleki delivers an equally powerful performance. His portrayal of a curious, impressionable, innocent yet sensitive child complements the emotional undercurrent of the movie.

The narrative primarily revolves around the trio taking an unexpected road trip. They embark on a journey that serves as an allegory for their emotional and psychological voyage. The entire storyline unfolds within the confines of the car, fostering an ingenious ambiance of concealment and revelation. The closed space of the car juxtaposes with the openness of the winding roads, landscapes, and views that flit past through the windows. These contrasted elements reflect the characters' emotional states and the intricate dynamics between them.

At its core, Mourning addresses the communication breakdown and ensuing emotional transmutation within family relationships. The film cleverly uses the aspects of sound and silence to draw the viewers' attention to the characters' emotional journey. Despite the minimalistic dialogues, the film derives power and emphasis through its ambient sound, body language, and pauses, creating a unique tapestry of visual communication that allows the viewer to experience and perceive the emotions of the characters at a deeper level.

This movie exhibits an exceptional cinematographic achievement, featuring extended takes, and leveraging natural light to convey different times of the day, reflecting the fluid, non-linear time perception. The scenes transition smoothly within the passage of this road trip, effectively blurring the boundaries of plot development, and emotional revelation.

Importantly, Mourning also delves into the themes of deception and truth. The storyline explores how individuals sometimes resort to subterfuge in their attempt to protect their loved ones from harsh realities. It provides a diverse perspective on the act of prevarication, prompting viewers to question the conventional notions of right and wrong.

While the movie hits on poignant and heavy themes, it does so with a light touch, sneaking in moments of humor and charm. This perfect balance between solemnity and warmth prevents the narrative from becoming overwhelmingly bleak.

In terms of cinematic style, Mourning takes the neo-realist approach a step further, incorporating elements of psychological realism portraying the intricate emotions of the characters within a relatively simple storyline. Each frame is rich in meaningful gestures, expressions, and instances of silent communication rendered all the more impactful by the exceptional acting of the cast. Furthermore, the use of a handheld camera and natural light imbues the film with an organic, authentic feel.

Mourning is an emotionally resonant, psychologically thoughtful, and beautifully shot film that offers viewers an engaging and thought-provoking cinematic experience. Its minimalistic yet evocative approach, the surprisingly profuse and articulate silence, the subtly haunting storyline all combine to make this film linger in the minds of the viewers long after the credits roll. It may require some patience and engagement to harmonize with the rhythm of the film, but once snared, the viewers are treated to a sensitively portrayed story that is as touching as it is profound.