In Iran, lawlessness is upheld by the most draconian laws. Every regulation seems designed by the lawless to make life harder for ordinary people just trying to live. I say this with some authority, having spent a significant amount of time in Iran, second only to my home country. And it's also the country where I've been most active in protests and activism, second only to my own.
It's against this backdrop that Mohammad Rasoulof, an exiled Iranian independent filmmaker, weaves together four distinct lives in four different stories, all converging into a single, powerful narrative. There Is No Evil (2020) is a masterpiece of storytelling, a testament to Rasoulof's unwavering commitment to shedding light on the harsh realities of life under an oppressive regime.
This film is easily one of the best ever made about capital punishment, all thanks to a cinematic artist who was sentenced to death in his own land for daring to speak truth to power. The film's production was a clandestine affair, with scenes shot secretly in Gilan, Tehran, and various other locations, adding another layer of authenticity and urgency to the narrative.
Each of the four stories is a microcosm of Iranian society, exploring the moral dilemmas faced by individuals caught in the machinery of state-sanctioned violence. The first story follows a seemingly ordinary family man who, unbeknownst to his loved ones, is an executioner. The second story delves into the psychological toll of mandatory military service, where young men are forced to participate in executions. The third story explores the complexities of love and defiance in the face of oppression, while the fourth story offers a glimmer of hope and resistance.
Rasoulof's direction is masterful, balancing the grim subject matter with moments of tenderness and humanity. The performances are raw and authentic, with the actors embodying their characters' struggles with remarkable depth and nuance. The film's visual language is stark and evocative, capturing the bleakness of the Iranian landscape and the suffocating atmosphere of fear and paranoia.
There Is No Evil is not just a film; it's a cry for justice, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a powerful indictment of a regime that systematically violates human rights. It's a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, a reminder of the power of cinema to expose injustice and inspire change.
