Critical Zone
Critical, independent filmmakers are having a hard time in present-day Iran, as well-known filmmakers such as Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof can confirm. Director Ali Ahmadzadeh has had to deal with the rigidity of the Iranian authorities as well: he was arrested in August 2022. Why exactly remains unclear, though it is suspected that the reason is Critical Zone, a now critically acclaimed film he made without obtaining a production license from the Cinematography Organization of the Ministry of Islamic Guidance. He was detained for five days.
Amir leads a lonely life. With his dog Fred for sole company, he drives through Tehran at night dealing drugs, while also looking out for lost souls like a modern prophet. He drives through the streets of a city with no future, following the directions of his GPS. Should he flee this place or is there still a glimmer of resistance left in him? A film about a city as a bad trip.
