SPRUCE

Iran, 2002, 120 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Mojtaba Ra'ie.

Spruce is an Iranian historical epic, set during World War One. It is very colourful, has a cast, if not of thousands, at least of hundreds. It recreates the atmosphere in Iran at the beginning of the 20th century, the local lords, the international influences, the role of the Germans and Russians and their using Iran during the war.

The film focuses on a small town, the leader of the rebels and his former friendship (in wrestling, seen in a photo) with an aspiring warlord. As hostilities break out, the people of the village take refuge in a fort. It is besieged by a powerful warlord and his henchman who is ruthless, prepared to hang and kill citizens. However, a young woman leads the resistance and the powers leave the people be.

However, as the Russians advance, the town is threatened again. The hero, old by now, emerges and leads the resistance. He meets his former friend. However, when the henchman attacks the town, the townspeople respond.

The film focuses on a young boy and his family. There is some reference to the boyhood of Ayatollah Khomeiny in this re-creation of the historical period.

The film uses some of the aspects of the spectacular epic, battle sequences, heroism, deaths and agonies.

The film is of interest as a re-creation of a particular period of Iranian history and how it is interpreted eighty years afterwards in view of the 1979 revolution.