It is the time of Red Wednesday, the Festival of Fire, or Chaharshanbe Suri. Throughout Iran and the Persian diaspora, the Wednesday before Nowruz is a time for families to come together, but that will not be happening in an Asghar Farhadi film.
The Oscar-winning director of ”A Separation“ and ”About Elly“ was never a stranger to family dysfunction. He had already explored some of its extreme manifestations in 2006’s ”Fireworks Wednesday," which re-released March 16, in New York at Film Forum.
Roohi is a young cleaning woman working for a temp agency who is just giddy at the prospect of her approaching marriage. The married couple that will employ her today will do everything possible to curb that enthusiasm.
Like so many Iranian films, the act of leaving is a major theme in “Fireworks.” Morteza and Mozhde will be leaving bright and early the next morning for Dubai, at least for a vacation, but possibly longer. You never know about these things when leaving Iran. Unfortunately, their flat is in state of shambles. Partly, this is a result of the collision Morteza’s fist had with the window the night before.
It was Morteza who retained Roohi from the agency, but once he returns to the office, Mozhde tries to dismiss her. Although they definitely get off on the wrong foot, Mozhde eventually finds work for the guileless girl. She sends her next door to snoop on the woman she suspects is having an affair with Morteza. This is relatively easy to do, since the divorced Simin runs an unregulated beauty salon out of her apartment. Roohi takes a genuine liking to the semi-scandalous woman, who is already struggling with a landlord determined to evict her. She hardly needs Mozhde’s neurotic accusations in addition.
According to the Islamist rules governing the Iranian film industry, men and women are not allowed to touch on-screen, but exceptions often seem to slip through, as when the exasperated Morteza strikes out at Mozhde. It is an ugly moment, but Farhadi frames it in a way that lessens the jarring impact. Morteza immediately regrets his action, but it keeps the audience on guard for the rest of the film, as well they should be.
There are several Iranian filmmakers who can deftly build tension through claustrophobic family drama, but Farhadi is the master. As soon as Roohi enters that flat, we get the sense very bad things will inevitably happen.
Much like “Separation” and “Elly,” “Fireworks” is an exhausting film that might telegraph some of its twists, but Farhadi still manages to make them feel devastating in the moment.
Hediyeh Tehrani is absolutely riveting and at times downright harrowing as the overwrought Mozhde. In telling contrast, Pantea Bahram lends the film grace and dignity as her presumed rival. Taraneh Alidoosti is convincingly immature as Roohi, but that makes her an appropriately confused witness to the angst and recriminations that unfold.
Although “Fireworks” is not a political film per se, it is clear Islamist attitudes toward women are not doing Miss Simin any favors. In fact, it makes her awkward position all the more difficult to maintain. The sex fiend known as “The Bat” that has apparently been preying on single women also might have thematic significance, but Farhadi leaves it underdeveloped.
Regardless, there are plenty of domestic pyrotechnics to supply plenty of shock and awe. Highly recommended for fans of Farhadi, Persian cinema, and ruthlessly naturalistic family dramas, “Fireworks Wednesday” opened March 16 at Film Forum.
’Fireworks Wednesday’
Director: Asghar Farhadi
Stars: Hamid Farokhnezhad, Hediyeh Tehrani, Taraneh Alidoosti
Running Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes
Release Date: March 16
Rated 3.5 stars out of 5
Joe Bendel writes about independent film and lives in New York. To read his most recent articles, visit JBSpins.blogspot.com
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