THE NIGHT
Iran, 2008, 97 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Rasul Sadrameli.
The Night is a low-key amusing story of an odd couple. It was directed by Rasul Sadrameli who had a great success with I’m Taraneh, Fifteen Years Old. (The film won The SIGNIS interfaith award at the Brisbane film festival in 2003.)
The film focuses on a young soldier who is asked to take an elderly criminal from one city to another. The older man has been in prison, learned something about medicine, claims he is a doctor. The difficulty is that they cannot get on a bus to go on their trip during the night. The soldier is anxious to make a good impression, not lose his job, and is travelling to his wedding. The old man promises not to escape.
They get some board and lodging with an old man who is kindly. However, there are complications, the young soldier has food poisoning and has to go to hospital, the old man and the host go to a shrine – and the old man disappears. He hears news of his wife’s death by phone and finally goes back and the two men continue the journey together, to the great relief of the soldier.
The film is humane – and has touches of comedy.
1.The impact of the story, the characters, the situation, the comic touches, the potential for tragedy?
2.The setting, the town, the bus station, the accommodation, the streets, the markets, the shrine? Authentic?
3.The title, the focus on the night, the effect for each of the characters?
4.The young man, at the beginning of his military career, getting the job, taking charge of the old man, talking with him, the handcuffs? His growing more desperate as they could not get on a bus? Going to the accommodation, the old man, getting the room? Settling down? The sergeant getting sick, becoming desperate, fearing the old man would escape? His promise? Going to the hospital, his being looked after? The disappearance of the old man, the sergeant getting desperate, the authorities and their lack of consideration? The old host and his care? The disappearance of the old man, the two men sitting in the shrine, suddenly glimpsing the criminal, his coming back, the relief, continuing the journey?
5.The old man, in prison, learning about medicine, passing himself off as a doctor? His attitude, the touch of humour, old, experienced? The discussions with the young soldier? Promising not to escape? The illness, going to the hospital? His phone calls to his wife? His wanting to go to the shrine, going with the host, the handcuffs off? His escape, hearing of the death of his wife? His wandering, the prayers? Going back to the sergeant, continuing the journey?
6.The host, taking in the couple, the room, the concern about the illness, the issue of the shrine, going with the old criminal, letting him go, the return, the vigil with the sergeant? Seeing the two off?
7.The ordinary background and characters, at the bus station, the authorities, at the hospital, at the shrine, at the markets? An authentic feel?
8.The blend of comedy and pathos?
