Dir. Kamal Tabrizi, 2004, Iran, 115 mins, subtitles
Cast: Parvis Parastui, Bahram Ibrahimi, Shahrokh Foroutanian
Before George W. Bush decides to invade Iran maybe he should do himself a favour and watch Kamal Tabrizi's The Lizard ("Marmoulak"), the first truly "mainstream" Iranian film to hit Western cinemas. The Lizard is a bittersweet portrait of a cosmopolitan and fractured society that seems very far away from the totalitarian Islamic state portrayed by the Western media. The characters that populate the film represent the many strata of Iranian society from the detritus of the lowest classes - street urchins, beggars and crooks through to the working class shopkeepers, teachers and police, and the privileged well-educated middle class of doctors, merchants and engineers. Apart from its subtle critique of the misuse of religion by the ruling Mullahs; the film also shows us a people much like those anywhere else; where the needs of the day often overrule the observance of strict religious laws and devotions.
Unlike other recent critically acclaimed films from Iran, The Lizard is a situation comedy imbued with elements of slapstick and farce. The film's star, Parviz Parastouie (Iran's answer to Eric Morecombe) takes on the role of Reza, a convicted burglar with a gift for scaling walls and not much else. When he escapes from jail in the stolen garb of a Mullah, he goes on the run and hides out in a small village mosque somewhere on the Iranian the border. Much of the film's comedic highlights revolve around Reza's botched attempts to lead midday prayers and his hilarious improvised sermons on such topics as the films "brother" Quentin Tarantino and how to be a "good Muslim in space". His interaction with the loveable locals helps him begin to understand that "there are as many paths to God as there are people."
The film's many deliberations upon the nature of what makes a good Muslim are reflected in the stories of a beautiful young woman in an abusive relationship, two earnest but conflicted brothers eager to please their devout father and the emotional and philosophical torment faced by a female crook. These stories intertwine with that of Reza as each of them helps him in his secret quest to flee the country. However, it soon becomes apparent that Reza's quest is a spiritual one and that he is more comfortable in his disguise then he cares to admit.
Like many of his Iranian contemporaries, Tabrizi uses allegory and symbolism to explore controversial religious and political themes. Unlike other Iranian films he has no difficulty weaving these into a more straightforward and much less subtle farce. Reza's quest to flee Iran, and his resignation to his eventual fate is just part of a larger story that explores the looming conflict between Iran's political and economic isolation in the face of insurmountable international and domestic pressure for democratic change. Despite being a comedy, The Lizard's overall theme and message is deadly serious. The final denouement suggests that Iran's political future will be decided by a new Islamic revolution that is more likely to occur in the hearts and minds of Iran's people than on the streets and in the classrooms.
The Lizard was a box office smash in Iran before the government decided to pull the film under intense pressure from the influential Islamic clergy. Despite the religious backlash the film in fact champions Islam and shows its audience the beauty and simplicity of the prophet Mohammed's teachings. At its essence, The Lizard is a film for people that want to believe and have faith, but are dismissive of the authoritarian strains that run through modern religion. The ecumenical crisis that is developing in Iran as more and more of its citizens demand greater independence from the religious rulers is as relevant to modern day America as it is the Middle East.
Overall, The Lizard is at times a hilarious film that will move and inspire audiences in equal measure as well as providing a valuable insight into a country that most Westerners know very little about. Jerome Mazandarni
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