We all know Iranian cinema is known for its films with relevant social commentaries. Thanks to their modern-day filmmakers who are taking forward the Iranian New Wave with stories that are true to the core of Iran’s current socio-political-cultural landscape. “Majboorim” (No Choice) is no different as it brings yet another story depicting the shadows of Iranian society.
“Majboorim,” which is currently running in numerous film festivals, follows the lives of three women living in three different circumstances in Iran: A homeless girl, a human rights lawyer, and a gynecologist.
“Majboorim” (No Choice) Synopsis
The story begins with Golbahar, a sixteen-year-old homeless girl, who supports herself as a surrogate mother for money. She is sold to a rich middle-aged man to give birth to a baby for him. When after a month she doesn’t get pregnant, her pimp threatens to kill her leaving. A subsequent medical test reveals that surgery was done on her when she was hospitalized for an accident she had a while back, and she was not aware of this at all. Thereafter a social worker lawyer helps her to dig further and take on the medical system, including the gynecologist involved. The lawyer suspects that Golbahar’s situation is the result of an unofficial national plan to euthanize the homeless in Iran to control their rising population.
While Iran’s issue concerning increasing homeless people has been in the news, just looking at the story of “Majboorim” (No Choice) we can say that this aspect or even the possibility of such systematic atrocities is never depicted or talked about in any other film or platform. Moreover, Reza Dormishian is well-known for his projects with social themes, hence, we would like to watch and review the film whenever we get an opportunity.
Genres: Drama, Social Issues
Writer/Director: Reza Dormishian [White Chairs (2017) Lantouri (2016), I’m Not Angry! (2014), Hatred (2012)]
Starring: Fatemh Motamed Aria, Negar Javaherian, Parsa Piroozfar, Bahman Farman Ara, Pardis Ahmadieh, Mojtaba Pirzadeh, Babak Karimi, Homayoun Ershadi
Cinematography: Aieen Irani
Country: Iran
Language: Farsi
Year: 2020
We’re yet to watch the film, so we’re unable to provide a full review of “Majboorim” (No Choice). If you’ve already watched the film, please share the film review with us.
Image courtesy: TIFF
