Heiran

After reading Heiran's review on The Star Weekender, I decided to watch it last Sunday (sorry, but I couldn't locate the review to link it with this post).

I have a particular penchant for Iranian films for I think that they have a great storyline which does not have to rely on fancy special effects and fight sequences to entice audiences. But I haven't really watched that many Iranian films to be able to make such generalizations...

There were only 6 people in the whole theatre. The first 10 minutes was wasted on annoying ads which reminded me why I hate going to the cinemas.

The movie's premise is simple enough: Girl meets boy from the wrong side of the tracks (in this case, an Afghan immigrant) - They fall in love despite the girl's parents' objections - They found ways to be together - Things go horribly wrong after marriage.

There must have been dozens of films with a similar storyline, right? But still, I was strongly affected by this movie... especially towards the end.

At the beginning, I was just plain exasperated. I really wished the protagonist, Mahi, had more sense in her head and would stop hurting her father's, mother's and grandfather's feelings.

I just hate it when people hurt those who love them the most - and abandon them - for someone whom they barely know.

But as Mahi's grandfather noted, "Nobody who's in love has ever had an ear for reason. Why should [Mahi]?"

But as the story progresses, we see how Mahi & Heiran both come to terms with LIFE - how harsh it could be and how naive they were.

What makes the film beautiful is how it portrays LOVE in its different forms:
-A father's love for his child
-A grandfather's love for his grandchildren
-A husband's love for his wife and vice versa

Tender moments like when Abbas (Mahi's father) fastens the blanket around a sleeping Mahi while sadly contemplating her future are heartbreaking.

And when Heiran learns of Mahi's pregnancy, he pulls her away from the bus station. "Where are we going?", Mahi asks. "Aren't we waiting for the bus?"

Heiran replies, "Today, my wife is taking a fancy cab"

Alahai, comel tak?

The ending is heart-wrenching, so make sure you have a packet of tissues ready.

Pictures from the movies (taken from: http://www.tiff.net/filmsandschedules/films/heiran):

Mahi's grandfather is forced to play chaperon

It's a bit hard saying 'No' to such an earnest suitor

Both learn that love cannot conquer all