Deserted Station
Picture: C-
Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: B-
Director Abbas Kiarostami is one of Iran’s hottest
directors and he contributed to the concept that made Ali Reza Raisian’s Deserted
Station (2002) possible. The
semi-existential exercise has to do with breakdown and abandonment. In this case, a couple has a problem with
their truck, which breaks down. They
stop for help in a village where the parents leave with her photographer
husband to get help. His wife lands up
being an extended babysitter, which leads to all kinds of odd moments.
In a Hollywood film, this would be some kind of
self-congratulatory comedy, but a statement is being made about inequity and
imbalance in Iran. Part of this has to
do with the treatment of women, but there is some incidental comedy. The film makes enough of a big statement
about a country still in flux and is worth seeing for a greater cultural
understanding alone of The Middle East.
A nice little poetic work.
The 1.66 X 1 image is hazy and color problematic, with
limited detail and slightly yellow burned-in captions/subtitles that can fade
somewhat into the background at times.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 is simple stereo with barely any surrounds, but is
clear enough, despite some compression.
Extras include trailers for other First Run titles from Iran, text
biographies and stills.
- Nicholas Sheffo
