The Wasteland (2020) User Reviews

A well maid movie

[an-06893 · 8/10 · 30 November 2023]

When I saw this movie outside was raining and I just had a small nap, the movie had already started and slowly slowly it was getting my attention. I really liked what I saw, everything from actors and scenes where perfectly put.

The scenario was well written and slow, going through the lives of the workers from the start to the end. It was touching and hard to see people working for years, getting fired, and nowhere to go or continue.

The black and white was the right choice, while small camera movements and transitions keep the movie go on. I believe this film speaks more from its photo or image than from the discussions that the workers have with each other.

If you are fan of the black and white, and like long films, you should watch it.

PS: I was really sad about Lotfollah.

Tarr and Kiarostami

[Come-and-Review · 9/10 · 4 September 2020]

By his own admission, director Ahmar Bahrani stated that he considers Abbas Kiarostami, whom he studied with, and Béla Tarr as his main models.

The Wasteland perfectly exemplifies these inspirations: the structure of the film strongly reminds of Sátántangó, as partially does the setting, inspired bu the director's childhood memories: a brick factory, symbol of a millenary tradition that is slowly fading away, strongly reminiscent of the collective featured in Sátántangó. The sense of an impending doom is equally as palpable, as tensions arise due to ethnic differences, power struggles and romantic relationships.

It is a quite unusual commistion of an iranian setting and a style that is so different from iranian cinema, yet the two work perfectly. I hope to see more of this.

DON'T BOTHER WITH THIS

[rrcharpe · 1/10 · 12 January 2022]

Oneof the worst movies I ever wasted my time watching. Don't bother with this turkey from France! There is absoluely no plot or rhyme or reason to the idiotic story. It is less than a 1 out of 10.