20 Fingers

This is a modern, daring, kaleidoscopic morality sketch made by Mania Akbari, the actress well known for her role in Abbas Kiarostami’s film Ten. Undoubtedly inspired by the form of Kiarostami’s film, Akbari pushes the limits of modern cinema even further. Her film is a strong and provocative statement from the point of view of a modern woman living in patriarchal Iranian society. She uses the same concept of conversations in a certain space, but creates her very own version of a cinema on the move. A series of intimate talks between a man (Bijan Daneshmand) and a woman (played by Akbari herself) reveal their opinions on various controversial subjects such as sex before marriage, jealousy, having kids to please the other or choosing for one’s personal freedom, adultery within marriage and the position of women in society. The two actors play different couples in different situations and environments: from jealous lovers to a husband and wife quarreling on the street, and this all in a natural and realistic way. The moments are universal and familiar to everyone, but placed in Iran they offer an unexpected look at an unknown part of the society, one in which modernisation is indeed taking place. A fresh, dynamic and revolutionary little masterpiece that will absorb you and stays with you. (LC)