Ten on DVD (2002)

UNFORGETTABLE

A customer from England , 10/09/2004

Another Iranian masterpiece from cult cinema director Abbas Kiarostrami. The film is a minimalist drama, the whole film is set in the front two seats of a car with two cameras employed. This may seem like a boring premise for a ninety minute film but the conversations that take place in the car are so diverse and engrossing that the vehicle setting does not restrict or inhibit the action. The emotions of the film run high, tension is easily built because of the small space of a car, a lot of the film was not scripted which is incredible. All in all a great little film with terrfic actors who reflect the Iranian political climate and times.

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Gives an insight

Smiler84 from Somerset , 16/02/2004

Truly gives an insight into the oppressive lives of Iranian women and the differing views between acceptable or unacceptable behaviour in such a culture! Even though it has a very simple exterior; there's a great deal of meaning within it. I believe that the film can still be enjoyed even if one has no or little knowledge of Farsi as the subtitles are very accurate.

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Iranian masterclass

James G from London England , 06/09/2005

Not often you find a film about Women's issues in the Middle East that is subtle in content and minimal in style. Still, it's not often you find a film about Women's issues in the Middle East at all I suppose!

It takes a master director to pull off films like this - Kiarostami is surely one of these. The film centres around the life of a divorced (and re-married) female Iranian taxi driver - through 'Ten' (thus the name) scenes of differing length, Kiarostami introduces us to several characters that serve to highlight the issues, challenges and triumphs of life as a woman in the modern Iranian state.

Kiarostami's use of just three shot angles (one on the driver, one on the passenger and just one shot through the front of the car) creates a spare medium that allows the viewer to concentrate on the faces, voices and words of the protaganists.

In a film primarily about human relationships and their failings, Kiarostami's script is absolutely superb, almost approaching the likes of Chekhov in his ability to suggest emotional vastness from a pared down dialogue. The film excels in providing the viewer with a space to think and feel into - you almost get to play the analyst on the couch. Although the primary tone of the film is slightly melancholic, there are also moments of great humour and thoughtfulness.

The performances of the cast are quite incredible - allegedly the director spent four months driving around Tehran to extract these performances from his cast - method driving of a kind.

Although this is the antithesis of a blockbuster, the film undoubtedly has wide appeal; a magical and haunting piece of filmmaking.

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Gives an insight

Smiler84 from Somerset , 16/02/2004

Truly gives an insight into the oppressive lives of Iranian women and the differing views between acceptable or unacceptable behaviour in such a culture! Even though it has a very simple exterior; there's a great deal of meaning within it. I believe that the film can still be enjoyed even if one has no or little knowledge of Farsi as the subtitles are very accurate.

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