This is Not a Film Film Difficulty Ranking: 4
Panahi is an inspiration for the film industry. He made This is Not a Film whilst under government orders not to make a film (after being charged with making propaganda against the Iranian government). Luckily, Panahi cannot simply stop making films, it’s part of his nature. Also, luckily, someone smuggled this gem out of Iran on a flash drive hidden inside a cake. So consider yourself lucky that you can watch this film!
From: Iran, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Buy on Amazon, Kanopy
Next: Taxi Tehran, Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania, Lost in La Mancha
Why Watch This is Not a Film?
- Jafar Panahi! Learn more about one of the leaders of Iranian film (yes I said one, because there are many)
- A Pet Iguana!
- Double-decker Tea Pots (also seen in Panahi’s other film Closed Curtain)
- How to make a film when you’re legally not allowed to
- It’s addictive viewing, there are parts which are pretty much reality TV
The Breakdown
This is Not a Film starts with Jafar Panahi (the director) sitting down at a table and helping himself to breakfast. He is alone in the apartment. The only company he has is his daughter’s pet iguana (Igi) and a camera. After eating some flatbread and jam from breakfast, Jafar calls a friend to come over to tell his screenplay to.
This film starts off like a simple fictional film. However, after another phone call from his lawyer, who tells him prison is almost certain, he starts speaking to the camera, to us! Even more weirdly, it turns out he is not speaking to us, but to his friend who has just arrived that has manned the camera. The reasons become clear a few minutes later. Panahi tells his friend behind the camera to ‘cut’ whilst he pulls a face and takes a drink. But as he is banned from directing and writing screenplays, he can’t cut, so the film keeps rolling. To tell his screenplay, he decides to act and read it out loud (two things he hasn’t been sentenced against doing).
Whether this is a completely unscripted or scripted film is uncertain. There are times when Panahi seems to know what is going on, but other times when the conversation and filming flow is so natural. Just as we think the film will end when his friend leaves his apartment, Panahi starts filming the trash man. He films him visiting each floor in the block of flats, asking him what he is up to and what his ambitions are. The scene is surprisingly funny, like a reality TV show, causing me to question if this is all reality or scripted.
Panahi’s Creativity
The whole film is limited by Panahi’s sentence (he was charged with creating propaganda against the Iranian government). However it is also a testament to his creativity and spirit. He makes this film despite being prohibited from making films by the Iranian government. He even creates a set and acts out the screenplay he was about to direct, all from his own living room. From this meta-documentary it is clear that Panahi is one of the most important living directors. He stands up for his craft despite his impending imprisonment. As he puts in the credits, this is “Dedicated to Iranian Film-makers.”
What to What Next
Firstly, if you liked This is Not a Film, check out Closed Curtain, the second film Panahi directed under house arrest. Or, if you’re looking for more conventional films by Panahi, there’s The Circle and Taxi Tehran.
There’s also plenty of great Iranian films. Start with Close Up to get to know Abbas Kiarostami. Watch the slow burning About Elly to be introduced to Asghar Farhadi. Or try Under the Shadow for an Iranian horror film.
If you’re looking for more very personal films from great filmmakers, you could check out Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania by Jonas Mekas. Or if you’re looking for a film-maker struggling to make a film, check out Lost in La Mancha, where you can follow Terry Gilliam struggle to make a film about Don Quixote.
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