Offside details
| Format: | PG DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Sima Mobarak Shahi, Safar Samandar, Shayesteh Irani, M. Kheyrabadi, Ida Sadeghi, Golnaz Farmani, Mahnaz Zabihi, Nazanin Sedighzadeh |
| Director: | Jafar Panahi |
| Genres: | Comedy, Sport - Football, World Cinema |
| Studio: | ARTIFICIAL EYE FILM COMPANY LTD. |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Offside |
PG Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 25 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 18 Sep 2006 |
| Main languages: | Farsi |
| Subtitles: | English |
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Most helpful review
Best film of 2006 so far
By TristanWhite (307 reviews) from London, UK , 17 Nov 2006[Highly rated reviewer]
And the best Iranian film I've seen (and I include in that a handful of Kiarostemi's!)
This is a delightfully insightful story about a group of Iranian girls desperately trying to sneak in to see Iran-Bahrein, a match that could see Iran go through to the World Cup in Germany.
What is quite remarkable (read the production notes on the DVD) is that since this is filmed during the actual game, the filmmakers were themselves breaking the 'law' and almost had their film confiscated. The girls had to be sneaked in, just as what happens in the film, so it becomes almost a pseudodocumentary. But what is even more remarkable about this charming film is that it is filmed on 35mm. You'd have thought that, considering the controversy and the possibility of the need to make a quick escape, the director would have chosen DV to shoot in. But no, this is celluloid and all the better and more impressive for it.
Shot 'guerrilla-style' with real shots of people celebrating at the match, this is an outstanding feat in a very strict and complex country that is governed by non-criminal laws that are interpreted and misinterpreted differently by all and sundry. This is a breakthrough for Iranian cinema, and will be appreciated by football-fans and feminists alike. Panahi is surely the one to watch.
None of the actresses were professionals, but were girls who do indeed make a habit of sneaking in to matches.
Still (unfortunately) to be released in Iran (it probably never will be), this is a story that we should all watch. Ironically, earlier this year President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that he was going to lift the ban and women would be allowed to go into special segregated areas. Shortly afterwards, one of the highest religious leaders said that this would never happen, and as a result from an attempt by the President to liberalise the country, the reaction by the religious leaders has actually made the situation for female football fans even worse, as it is now even more in the public eye.
Essential viewing.- Was this review helpful to you?
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All reviews
(19)Not a film
By h20bomb (91 reviews) from London , 24 Jun 2010Please tell these weren't actors, as they were very bad, the story was good but need tension, pace and alot of editing in the end its a good idea just need some talent - ie a director, editor, camerman, music, script etc- Was this review helpful to you?
- (0) Yes |
- No (3)
Can't be doing with poor acting
By PCambridge (10 reviews) from Cambridge , 20 Mar 2009We weren't sure whether the director had deliberately used non-professional acting, but whatever the reason the acting (even in Farsi) comes across as painfully wooden. The premise of a group of girls trying to get into the big football match is quite interesting/engaging, but there wasn't much of a plot beyond that, and the characters weren't at all convincing. Sometimes the agenda was also a bit too obvious, as the girls debated with the soldiers the reasons why they weren't being let in.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (1) Yes |
- No (2)
For the Idiots who cannot read subtitles
By smelly77 (55 reviews) from london , 14 Mar 2009Please do not rent this film and say it's rubbish
For everybody else......do not miss this GEM off a movie....
It's charming,compelling and the most enjoyable film i have seen for a long time- Was this review helpful to you?
- (7) Yes |
- No (1)
Strange set piece, no character development
By a customer from Teddington , 27 Oct 2008It's somewhat like 'Dogville' in its presentation in that the the story unfolds on a sort of 'stage' outside a football stadium, but without interesting characters. Another review said you won't learn anything new if you see this, and I agree. I wanted to like this film, but found it impossible.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (2) Yes |
- No (1)
rubbish
By xx08adam08xx (1 review) from planet co ko , 20 Apr 2008THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Show review anywayHide
- Was this review helpful to you?
- (12) Yes |
- No (7)
