Two & Two

impressive for its simplicity. and for its bitter realism. because, it is a film about school. in same measure, it is a film about society. and, for people knowing the life under Communism, sure, it reminds the essence of dictatorship. but it has the virtue to put front to us the question - what is the reaction of us ? what is the price of resistance? what is the right way to say the truth ? what is the value of truth ? the virtue of film - an Iranian film speaks, so clear and loud, about a reality who becomes more and more present in old democracies. it is a simple interrogation. 2 + 2 = ? the answer change everything. at the each level.

In a schoolroom populated by identically clad young students, the teacher arrives at 8am precisely to make quite a startling announcement. 2 + 2 = 5!! He then proceeds to ram that home, despite protestations from the children that this is just plain wrong! As they become more emphatic, a mini-rebellion broods and the teacher drafts in some moral support from older pupils who trot out the desired answer parrot-fashion before presenting a firing squad to the pupil who still insists it's four not five. This short film demonstrates quite an interesting concept. That of indoctrination, especially when driven by fear. It also, though, shows us a little of a defiant human spirit and that works quite well from the boys in the face of their oppressive teacher in public or surreptitiously. As a piece of cinema it's unremarkably filmed, somewhat implausible and repetitive - maybe the latter criticism helps it prove it's point, but when you're watching you get the gist way before the end. Interesting, though.

This short film, so simple in its construct and content, pulls a very powerful punch. I personally found it chilling, and it deeply affected me for some time after.

The story-line and the drab classroom setting connect so effectively with the blind, rigid fundamentalism and totalitarianism that so much of our world is plagued with. It brings into sharp relief the dilemmas faced by those in similar positions, and it made me question just how would I react in a similar situation.

Simple as is the setting, the story line, the techniques etc., the impact and effect far outweigh the perceived simplicity. Haunting, and morally jolting are, I think, apt terms to use in respect of this movie.

I would highly recommend this movie, and especially to parents and to teachers of ethics and religion.