Zalava

This is a solid portrayal of a village's mass hysteria over a supposed demon that is blamed for any bit of bad luck that happens. This time, a local army sergeant wants to stop this nonsense, and the clash of cultures leads to an inevitable (but very predictable) tragedy.

The three lead actors (the sergeant, the doctor, and the exorcist) were sound, but the rest of the cast were very amateurish.

This movie was made in 2021. Fear is always associated with strange things and intangible events and issues. Fear of the beyond or things that cannot be seen and touched is one of the greatest experiences of fear for humans. Fear of things like demons or devils or things like that, which cinema has always benefited from and had good sales. Zalawa is also a kind of contrast between wisdom and ignorance. A fear that may come from ignorance and an intellect that is alone and must stand in front of an ignorant crowd. Zalava has good actors, but it is an ordinary film and nothing more. In fact, it cannot be said that Zalava is an attractive film, but the acting of the actors is acceptable and may bring the audience along.

My absolute highlight of the Fantasy Filmfest so far (last day today). I just love it, when a movie engages with the viewer and knows that there are people who want to be challenged. Who want to think about things, who want the option to explain things themselves. What is real, what is actually happening? Do we see what we see or is there a different explanation? You can make your own mind up, what actually happens or happened.

Also the power of certain movements. Group movements, societal angst, fear in general and what it can make you do ... power in groups and auhorities. Can everything be explained? And should we rather be on the safe side? There are no easy answers here ... especially because of the way things unfold.

And by unfold I mean ... well you'll have to see. Althought even seeing, doesn't mean that what you saw is actually what happened. Can it be a coincidence if a glass breaks that is not supposed to break? Again this is so good because you can do things in your mind with it. And the way everyone is playing their character ... can there actually be a happy end? Really loved how "simple" this is on one hand, but how complex it is in the bigger scheme - making you think about it way after you've watched it.

Before I saw the movie, I expected it to amaze me! After watching the movie, I realized that the story line was very disappointing. The actors did not sink into their roles as they should have. No fear was instilled in the viewer from the film, what was clear was that people are immersed in superstitions too much and it affects their lives and emotions. The atmosphere and environment were in line with the theme of the movie, and I didn't see any negative points from this point of view. On the other hand, using opinions and making movies based on this makes many things clear in the eyes of people. In general, the movie failed to impress me and I gave it 5 points, ignoring some things.

.... namely non-Persians....: this movie threads its politics and nationalism very carefully. With a potential loss for the depth and intensity of the story, it does not engage Islam in any way too. The exorcist seems to have never heard of Quran: pretty surprising when compared to the ubiquitous Christian theme of priests-exorcists.

This well-written story, starting from the total denial of the demonic, slowly takes more pro-demon stance (but never decisively) by engaging the love of the main character, a gendarmerie sergeant, for a local doctor, who is a reluctant demon believer (of the kind: it does not harm to believe). Once more, Eve (Malilah) leads Adam (Massoud) astray.

In its approach to ghosts/demons, the movie reminded me about "Benedetta" by Paul Verhoeven: both films leave open the question whether demons exist or not.