Synopsis: A group of men and women is temporarily staying on an island waiting for the arrangements to leave the country illegally. Dr. Tavusi is due to arrange things and prepare the ground for their secret leave. Damun, a journalist who was a soldier in the warfronts during Iran-Iraq war, Ila, a young rock singer accompanied with Ghazal, a young girl who has left her family to marry Ila despite her family’s strong opposition, Orang, a bisexual who intends to travel to England for medical treatment, Raha, a pregnant woman, and Tara, a woman whose marriage has created a lot of mental disorders for her, form the group who is planning to leave Iran.
The film currently on screen in Iranian cinema halls reviews the past and current situation of each individual in the group, and, it is finally Orang who leaves the country on a boat and the rest stay. Damun decides to stay in the country and takes care of Raha and the child she is expecting. The relation between Ila and Ghazal also gets sour and they separate. Tara and Dr. Tavusi also have a dispute and separate, and Tara leaves the island to go somewhere else.
“Somewhere Else,” the first feature length made by Mahdi Karampur, enjoys a good structure. The film reviews three different generations, who find themselves idealists and are looking for a utopia, which is seemingly thousands miles away.
Tara and Dr. Tavusi have certain political behavior they had gained during their adulthood and Ila and Damun who, both grew up during the imposed war, have different attitudes. Damun has closely felt the war in the fronts and has his strong beliefs and it is Damun, who is the first of the group who decides to continue to live in his own country.
Ila is quite opposite Damun, a young boy with his Westernized attitudes, seeking fame in Western countries. Orang, Raha, and Ghazal also have their different personal attitudes.
Karampur, as the writer and director of the film tries to present a comprehensive image of each character, and shows the reasons lying behind their departure. Of course, some of the social concerns are also quoted by the characters, the problems the youth face in the society, the hard time Iranian individuals felt after the war, as well as the disappointed idealists.
The director has also made use of animation in the film to show the social taboos in order to convey his message to the audience. Of course, a combination of film and animation has somehow made a music video out of the film, but this innovation of the director can be called a good achievement for the cinema of Iran.
Director Karampur was also able to make use of good cinematography, editing and music. Proper usage of colors, good rhythm, the feelings of tension and suspension in the film have all made the film to be more effective.
Music is also considered one of the best parts of the film. The cast gives a good and simple performance, as well.
On the whole, “Somewhere Else,” as the first feature length made by the young director Karampur, gives the good news for the cinema of Iran. It announces the appearance of a new generation of filmmakers who is seeking to find the unanswered questions and Karampur with his “Somewhere Else,” gives the good news of a deep move and thought.
RM/KK
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MNA
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