Fresh
Somber and haunting with an undertow of mordant wit, Mr. Farmanara's comeback finds its morning in life and nature.
Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News
Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine
2000 · 1h 33m · N/A
Drama
Directed by
Bahman Farmanara
Overview
Death surrounds Bahman, a director who hasn't made a film in 24 years (he can't get past the censors). He's working on a documentary, for Japanese TV, on Iranian burial practices. On the anniversary of his wife's death, a hitchhiker tells him a story of spousal abuse and infant mortality, he discovers that someone has been buried in his plot next to his wife, and he needs the help of his attorney, a well-connected fixer. He dreams of death, even as he investigates it for his film. His niece's husband, a well-known writer, fails to return home; he searches hospitals for an unclaimed body. His heart disease is flaring up. Is he prepared for death? Is that all that's left?
Director and cast
- Bahman Farmanara Director
- Bahman Farmanara as Bahman Farjami
- Parivash Nazarieh as Farzaneh
- Reza Kianian as Dr. Arasteh (The Attorney)
- Roya Nownahali as Woman Hitch-Hiker
- Mohammad Khatami as Himself
- Hossein Kasbian as Abdollah (The Servant)
- Mahtaj Nojoomi as Bahman's Sister
- Valiyollah Shirandami as Homayouni - The Actor
- Firouz Behjat-Mohamadi as Memorial Sign Rental
- Ebrahim Abadi Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
72%
Tomatometer
Rotten
The slow-moving film fails to capture the depth and intensity of what it means to battle political censure and depression.
Marta Barber, Miami Herald
Rotten
The director's obsession with death sometimes seems overwrought and self-flagellating.
Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
Rotten
Our comeback tale should end on a classic note of resounding triumph. Should -- but doesn't.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Fresh
A feat of droll, refractive, melodramatic self-portraiture.
Wesley Morris, San Francisco Chronicle
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