[InFocus] Majid Majidi

For few Cinema is a science – for instance Christopher Nolan. He brings then concept of science into his films. The screenplay, movie’s core is built on top of science. And why not? We have tried to ascertain every event that happens in our life to science.  Even the music that Nolan feeds in his movies bear science. And I am a great fan of Nolan and his movies. But then there are few directors like Alejandro Gonzalaez Inarittu, Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica who treat Cinema as an art. They have all given importance to characters in the movie and their feelings. They all have expressed human emotions at their best. And here we have one who shows life at its simple and best. Characters defined with utmost simplicity – Majid Majidi.

Majidi isn’t a man who complicates cinema. He flows like a thin air, like a pleasant wind. He doesn’t use twisted /webbed screenplays or confuses people with adverse characters. People who portray his films know exactly what they’re doing. His characters are crystal clear in their motive and direction. His characters flow with the current. They all move towards a specific purpose. He isn’t dramatic as well. He is true to life and its values. He shows life in its purest true form.

He doesn’t have the liberty of showing feelings as in Ingmar Bergman due to the country he represent but yet he within his limits has shown feelings and emotions on par with Bergman. Thus he has proved that a simple feeling/event can trigger the effects and the audience can be fed with what they need to understand. Adverse actions of the characters aren’t often necessary to portray what the character feels. His films aren’t as dramatic as Akira Kurosawa’s. His simple screenplay and story has proven to move audiences of all types.

Often in his movies he has left the mark at his end in style. In movies like Pedar, Baran, The Color of Paradise, Children of Heaven  and Song of Sparrows – in fact in all of his films he ends them in a trademark Majidi style that moves people of all ages. He shows what love is  - what care, affection and life is all about through his simple characters. Life isn’t always complex. It isn’t about making  complicated decisions but understanding it thoroughly and flowing with the simplicity.

In all of his films, he touches the chord. Explains and simplifies what life’s core values are and its structure/pattern. He has thus touched humanity and has explained true feelings and emotions. He hasn’t required to do a Jafar Panahi. He in fact never has gone thus far to express things. He has the ability to express the same things in a different way that Panahi. He can well be within his limits to achieve what Panahi has tried to achieve in his films. His way of thinking and shaping his characters has left a mark in world cinema. Iran should be proud to have such a talented Director and I am sure his movies will stand for centuries and his characters will be remembered for portraying true life.