PINK

Iran, 2002, 96 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Fereydoun Jeyrani.

Pink is the story of a dysfunctional and broken family. The film is introduced by a nine-year-old who sits in theatre seats inviting us to watch a film that is a variation on the kind of play that his father writes and puts on, exaggerated comic stories and behaviour, with songs and humour, drawing on some of the old stories from Iran.

The film shows the parents of the boy trying to keep up a front for his sake, but his realising that they are lying. He watches them angry at each other, his father slapping his mother, his mother walking out. He has strong bonds with both. In the discussions, they finally agree that the boy will stay with each of them for three days a week, half day with each on Friday. This goes on for some time. Eventually he has to go to school, and it is more convenient for him to stay with his father.

His mother is a cellist and is successful in her career and playing with an ensemble. The father, an a rather large friend, are also successful in developing a troupe to put on the plays. One of the women who comes to audition is infatuated with the father. She is a good woman, tries to do her best with the boy although he often resists her. Eventually there is a meeting between the two women. They clash, but afterwards discuss things in great detail and form a friendship.

By this time, with the prospect of going to court and decisions having to be made about the boy's custody, the father decides that he wants to stay with his son rather than marry the young woman in the troupe. She leaves, the husband and wife are reconciled.

The film highlights interesting aspects of marriage, arranged marriages, love, divorce in Iranian society. The film also offers hope that despite initial clashes, some kind of reconciliation and rekindling of love is possible, especially because of the mutual love for a child.

The central character is played by Rambod Javan who constantly reminds the audience in his appearance, smiles, facial mannerisms and acting style of Kevin Kline.