April 28, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Iran’s Oscar Entry for Best Foreign Language Film

By Beverly Cohen

Anytime you see Cohen Media Group in the opening credits, you can be quite sure that you are about to see a quality foreign film. Among some of the films in this prolific group’s collection are: “Timbuktu,” “Marguerite,” (four César Awards) “Rams,” “Mustang,” “The People vs. Fritz Bauer,” “My Old Lady,” “Le Chef,” “Breathe In,” and the wonderful documentary, “Deli Man.” In keeping with their impeccable record of producing and/or distributing award-worthy movies comes “The Salesman,” Iran’s submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award. This powerful film has already racked up three wins and six nominations.

“The Salesman,” brilliantly written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, stars Shahab Hosseini as Emad and Taraneh Alidoosti as his wife Rana who is an actress. Emad is a teacher and a member of the same acting company. They are both in rehearsals for Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.”

The story opens with the imminent collapse of the apartment building in which they live, forcing all the tenants to evacuate immediately. The opening crack is symbolic of the ensuing tear in their relationship. Through a friend, they find another apartment, but discover that the last tenant had left all her belongings behind. Apparently, she had a lot of male “visitors,” and moved out rather suddenly. Emad and Rana go about removing her property to an outside shed with the hopes the elusive owner will return. All is well, for the moment at least. Emad is not home and Rana decides to take a shower. Just then the apartment bell rings and thinking it’s her husband, she hits the buzzer and leaves the front door ajar. What follows is a brutal attack, which thankfully the director spares us from witnessing. Rana is traumatized physically and emotionally and begins to have difficulty functioning. Emad wants to go to the police but Rana does not want to be put through the interrogation of what happened and would rather forget the whole episode. Reluctantly, although obsessed with finding the perpetrator, he begins to clean up the crime scene, getting rid of the blood and any other traces of the attack. His wife is badly bruised but tries to continue with the rehearsals. However, she goes up on her lines and walks out in the middle of a scene. She becomes more and more frightened and reclusive.

Determined to track down his wife’s attacker, the haunting narrative takes an unexpected turn as the obsessed Emad systematically begins to assemble evidence, including an abandoned pick-up truck, and little by little hones in on the guilty party. However, the more obsessed he becomes, the deeper the chasm in this once loving, happy relationship.

The fascinating direction and impeccable writing, delicately illuminates the deconstruction of a marriage, Iran’s social mores as they pertain to women, and gives a one-two punch with the unexpected dénouement. The compelling story telling will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final scene. Coupled with the riveting performances given by Shahab Hosseini and Taraneh Alidoosti, as well as the supporting cast, “The Salesman” is one film you will want to see before Oscar night. .

 

THE SALESMAN

Produced by: Memento Film Productions

Asghar Farhadi Production

Distributor: Amazon Studios Cohen Media Group

Written by: Asghar Farhadi

Directed by: Asghar Farhadi

Genre: Mystery/Drama

Language: Persian with English Subtitles | Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 125 minutes

 

SMS-THESALESMAN11316C SMS-THESALESMAN11316B

Related Posts

Performing Arts Workshops Summer Camp Open for Registration

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Performing Arts Workshops (PAW) has something for everyone this summer. They offer four two-week musical theater camps and eight one-week...

Spring Brewery Artwalk & Open Art Studios

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Where Art Lives. If you’re looking for something fun and different to do, the Brewery Artwalk is holding its Spring...

Culver City Releases New 2025 Wildfire Hazard Maps for Local Neighborhoods

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

City Urges Public to Review Proposed Zone Maps and Submit Feedback Culver City residents can now review updated fire hazard...

Gene Simmons Lists Modern Beverly Hills Home for $14 Million Amid Downsizing

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Kiss Rocker is Trimming His Real Estate Portfolio, Parting Ways With a Luxury Home Rock legend Gene Simmons is looking...

March Sees Another Dip in Home Sales as Inventory Grows Nationwide

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Existing-Home Sales Fall, Inventory Builds as Buyers Face Higher Prices Existing-home sales across the United States declined in March, according...

LA City Attorney Drops Charges in Majority of UCLA, USC Protest Arrests

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Charges Filed Against Edan On, After LA District Attorney Dropped Charges Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced on...

Mayor Issues Emergency Order to Waive Permit Fees for Palisades Residents

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

City Departments Ordered to Suspend Collection of Fees for Rebuilding Mayor Karen Bass on Friday issued an Emergency Executive Order...

West Hollywood Braces for Controversial Rally, Reaffirms Commitment to Equality

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

City of West Hollywood Condemns Harmful Rhetoric Ahead of Planned Assembly City officials and public safety leaders in West Hollywood are preparing...

(Video) The Willows: 30 Years Going Strong

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Founded in 1994, The Willows Community School, located in Culver City, California, is a Developmental Kindergarten through 8th grade non-profit, co-educational...

ASTEME Camps Explore Science, Technology, Math and Engineering

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Many teachers and parents hear this question daily when it comes to schooling: “When am I ever going to use...

Skirball Center’s Puppet Festival Promises an Afternoon of Imagination and Play

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

SoCal’s Top Puppeteers Will Perform Alongside Live Music, DIY Puppet-Making The Skirball Cultural Center is set to transform into a...

Q&A: No Age Limit on Home Care Management & Home Safety, Tips from a Care Manager

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

In-home safety issues that go unnoticed — cracked sidewalks, broken railings or uneven flooring for example — are often the root...

Culver City Police Hosts DEA Drug Take Back Day on April 26

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Dispose of Expired Prescriptions Safely and Anonymously The Culver City Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back...

Former Cedars-Sinai OB-GYN Accused of Sexually Abusing Patients for Four Decades

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Ten Women Say Their Reports Were Ignored as Brock Continued to Practice for Decades. A group of 10 women has...

LAX/Metro Station is One Step Closer to Transforming the Airport Commute

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

New Multi-Modal Metro Station Connects Angelenos to the Airport Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced...