Film Review: This Is Not A Film (2011)

Directed by Jafar Panahi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb
Starring Jafar Panahi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb

This Is Not A Film is a day in the life of acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi, currently under house arrest in his Tehran apartment.

Convicted of “conspiring propaganda against the Islamic Republic”, Panahi was sentenced to six years in prison as well as a 20-year ban on making or directing movies and writing screenplays. He was also forbidden from leaving Iran. There was a worldwide outcry with countless prominent filmmakers, critics and organisations calling for his release, yet the condemnation of his sentencing has fallen on deaf ears.

In terms of engaging with its audience, This Is Not A Film is at times challenging, however its 75 minute running time ensures it doesn’t overstay its welcome. It opens with Panahi eating breakfast while talking to fellow filmmaker and friend Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, who he asks to discreetly visit his apartment to help him shoot footage (which would be compiled into the “non-film” we are watching). We then see a conversation with his lawyer and things aren’t looking good. She is optimistic that the ban will be lifted and perhaps his sentenced reduced, however she is extremely doubtful of an acquittal. Panahi tries to be courageous, but his frustration is utterly heartbreaking. While my eyes were glued to the screen I felt an enormous sense of helplessness and despair watching such a brilliant man stripped of his creativity and essentially, his life.

We watch the adorable interaction between Panahi and Igi, his daughter’s iguana. We see Panahi’s selflessness as he stresses he does not want to disadvantage fellow Iranian filmmakers to save himself. We painfully sit through Panahi describing the screenplay that he is aching to make into a feature film. This is a man not only fighting for his creative freedom, but for the right of those around him to artistically express themselves.

Panahi has mocked the Iranian government with This Is Not A Film, having it smuggled to Cannes via a USB hidden in a cake. They might try and silence their filmmakers, but this documentary is a fight against an unjust and corrupt system.

The day happens to fall on the mark of the Persian New Year, and while Panahi watches the celebatory (and highly illegal) fireworks from his luxurious apartment, you can’t help but wonder if there will ever be any celebration for him in the near future.

★★★★☆