The truth exists somewhere in time and space

Johnathan 2021-12-28 08:01:54

Iranian director Fahati, who officially joined the ranks of top filmmakers with "A Farewell", came to Cannes with his new film "The Past", which he shot in France, and became a big hit at this film festival. More media came to his press conference than the local French director Ou Rong, and there was a full seat.

"The Past" also tells a family story. Although the family structure and character setting are not the same, the complexity of the relationship between members is no less than that of "A Parting". A mother with three children recalled her husband and the children’s stepfather to Paris from another country for divorce because she was pregnant with her wife’s lover’s child who was still in a coma. Crisis of harmonious family relations. The difference from "A Farewell" is that in addition to marriage and family, the theme of the film also has a "truth". The progress and changes in family member relationships are based on the search for the truth of an event. As everyone gets closer and closer to the truth, the audience gets deeper and deeper into the hearts of the characters, so that they can see the "truth" from everyone's perspective, and finally approach the "absolute value" that may not exist.

When talking about the issue of "truth" at the press conference of the day, the director said, "You will find the "truth" somewhere in time and space, but only from your perspective. Only after experiencing a certain part of it, Only after deeply feeling each level of love, getting along, and relationships can you truly appreciate its meaning. It is by no means a single one, and capturing every detail of it is the most interesting thing I find. "This is also this film. The director’s narrative attitude completely follows the logic of the main characters when narrating, and proceeds with their thinking, without pre-laying or making any judgments. This layer is stripped, allowing the audience and the characters in the play to approach the truth together.

Fahati said that the two relationships between family and love are the oldest relationships among human beings. And it is universal and worldwide. He is willing to tell stories about family and love all his life. In such a seemingly small setting, the tension between the characters is very large, and this tension exists between many pairs of relationships, making the relationship between objects more complicated. The drama oriented by tension has repeatedly pushed the characters to the extreme, and they need to spend more and more courage to face themselves and others. Getting into the characters very deeply is what Fahati is particularly good at. "A Farewell" is also very obvious on this point. He called himself a writer more than a director. He likes to write, and all his thoughts will be written down, and the line part will be added to the rehearsal of the actors, hoping that the actors will also participate in the creation. These are all due to his many years of experience in theatrical stage.

Since the filming of this film left the Iranian mainland, some reporters were concerned about whether it meant that Fahati would switch to production. In this regard, Fahati said that his work style will not change no matter where he is, and so will his duties. As long as there is a good script, it does not rule out the possibility of any cooperation, including Hollywood.

View more about The Past reviews

Extended Reading
  • Danielle 2022-04-21 09:02:50

    According to allocine, Marion Cotillard was originally set for the heroine of this film. Later, she was called Bérénice Bejo when she couldn’t schedule it (I love Marion Cotillard’s good cut?) But the just-concluded 66th Cannes Film Festival Bérénice Bejo was because The film Le Passé won the Best Actress Award... (You can see the picture of the movie is an easy one. The viewing process of this film is too trivial and depressing. I don't love it very much.

  • Arden 2021-12-28 08:01:54

    The Iranians say: It is easier to blame others, but to blame yourself.

The Past quotes

  • Shahryar: You weren't a person who gets used to this country. You should stay in one side of the stream. You can't put one of your foots on one side and the other foot in the other side! Stream will get bigger at the end.

  • Samir: When two people see each other after 4 years and still fight together, it shows that there is something unsolved between them.