It takes a while to get your bearings in the story, but once you do, the film is a satisfying slow-burn, unravelling with enough secrets and twists to keep you engaged. The acting is mostly strong, but the two lead characters aren't particularly endearing, and their motives and actions are sometimes questionable. The film spends most of it's time in one location, but doesn't overstay it's welcome as the film is cleverly interspersed with jumps in time and space. The cinematography is lovely and keeps you engaged with the story. Ultimately, the film feels original and unformulaic, and stays uncompromising to the end.
18 Reviews
Diaspora and War Bring a Personal Story into Focus
daveh23322 April 2020
Polaris is a moving and realistic portrayal of an Iranian-American war photographer struggling with PTSD. The production value and cinematography is very high, taking you to locations domestic and abroad, while the acting and direction help you get into the story, avoiding overt politics. Overall a great war and diaspora drama, not often told from the perspective of a female protagonist.
Visually compelling cinema
filmentity-2051631 March 2020
With beautiful imagery and inherent complexity, this film is mesmerizing. Soudabeh Moradian really brings us into the world of ptsd through a female perspective. It is a very forward thinking piece about a relationship and personal struggle told through the point of view of a woman. I appreciated the power of female bonding that I experienced in this film. I found it to be compelling, relevant and refreshing.
Gritty and Intense
bohemianpirate-871-38348731 March 2020
Polaris is a fantastic. Gritty and intense, it's an incredibly well made film. I was immediately drawn in by the mesmerizing Alicia Bachleda as Baran, a war photographer struggling with PTSD. Full of secrets she must conceal from her husband, Poorya (excellent performance as well by Bahram Rahda), Baran wrestles with her truths in a performance that is truly captivating. Strong and solid performances, a complex drama that tackles war, PTSD and love, Polaris is something every movie lover will appreciate. Highly Recommend.
Wartime Storytelling Rooted in Psychology
TheAll-SeeingI30 March 2020
From accomplished Iranian-American female filmmaker Soudabeh Moradian comes the taut and wholly engrossing "Polaris," a movie that methodically weaves themes of war, immigration, and cultural acceptance into a singular and seamless triumph of storytelling.
"Polaris" introduces us to Baran (a compelling Alicja Bachleda), a young and psychologically battered immigrant journalist of half-Iranian, half-European descent. While battling her PTSD, Baran must shelter her considerable secrets from husband Poorya (Bahram Rahdan) to avoid a return to the Middle East.
Tonally and visually dark and presenting an immense depth, this is a beautifully designed and well-executed movie with elite actor performances from the top of the roster on down. While films built upon wartime themes have traditionally led to politically immersive messaging, "Polaris" instead lays bare the personal psychologies and intensely human issues those themes set into motion. This is a riveting film representative of expert filmmaking. - (Was this review of use to you? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!)
"Polaris" introduces us to Baran (a compelling Alicja Bachleda), a young and psychologically battered immigrant journalist of half-Iranian, half-European descent. While battling her PTSD, Baran must shelter her considerable secrets from husband Poorya (Bahram Rahdan) to avoid a return to the Middle East.
Tonally and visually dark and presenting an immense depth, this is a beautifully designed and well-executed movie with elite actor performances from the top of the roster on down. While films built upon wartime themes have traditionally led to politically immersive messaging, "Polaris" instead lays bare the personal psychologies and intensely human issues those themes set into motion. This is a riveting film representative of expert filmmaking. - (Was this review of use to you? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!)
A masterpiece!
marthaflanders1 April 2020
Filmmaker Soudabeh Moradian delivers a true masterpiece with Polaris! Not only does it tell a compelling story following Baran (Alicja Bachleda), a traumatized war photographer, but manages to integrate themes of immigration, culture and war. Great performances all around and visuals that will transport you from your home to the middle east!
One terrific indie film!
craigahrens29 March 2020
What a terrific indie film!! The story grabbed me right out of the gate. Bravo to the writer and director, Soudabeh Moradian. He did such a good job! I thought the film moved along at a nice pace. I was engaged throughout. The acting was spot on! Casting did a really good job in this area. I liked all of the actors. In particular the lead actress Alicja Bachleda. This film scores a thumbs up from me!!
Intense and suspenseful
andrewtschroeder8 May 2020
This is an intense and suspenseful drama about a war photographer coping with PTSD. The story is really interesting and well paced with secrets unravelling as the story develops. The cinematography is moody and the actors are really great!
Gritty, intense
Smgrte2358608 April 2020
Polaris is is a very compelling and suspenseful film.
evelyne-87 April 2020
Polaris is is a very compelling and suspenseful film. This story takes a while to figure out but that's part of the intrigue, it's so unpredictable. film. Alicia Bachleda as Baran, a war photographer struggling with PTSD is captivating full of secrets she must conceal from her husband, Poorya (excellent performance as well by Bahram Rahda), Baran . The gritty world adds a nice backdrop with really interesting actors and the effects of PTSD. ,
Well Woven Film
lebam-1502711 April 2020
Polaris
Iranian-American filmmaker Soudabeh Moradian delivers a complex dark drama about a woman, Baran, an immigrant journalist of half-Iranian, half-European descent who suffers from PTSD, played perfectly by Alicja Bachleda,
Polaris is a well crafted independent film with high production qualities and an ensemble of good actors. The characters are credible, armed with war memories, past love, and cultural dilemmas. Each with secrets, fears, and remembrance. Memories come crashing in when the three meet accidentally. Uncovered layers of fear, love, and sadness peel away, exposing the fragile life of the three characters. Polaris is worth every minute.
A wonderfully written and directed journey of self and human discovery.
williamgway7 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Wondered in reading the reviews and seeing festival awards what this movie was really about. Now I see what they were saying. A great story with excellent lead actors. It over delivers on it's focus on a Baran's journey of human and self discovery. The film kept me guessing and wondering how it would end. And it delivers. Sometimes feels dark but worth the time to watch.
All round very well made Indie drama
Anmer9311 April 2020
Loved the central conceit of a wartorn photographer with PTSD, carries a great deal of weight throughout the film. Along side this stand excellent performances all round, a riveting screenplay and a gritty realism. Oh and visual it was stunning, all-round very well made indie drama.
Compelling, Cinematic Indie
lindapalmer4 July 2020
Great indie film by director, Soudabeh Moradian, dealing with a wartime photographer suffering PTSD. The lead actors are very good and the cinematography is haunting. This film is proof you don't need huge budgets to make really compelling work, just a talented team.
A compelling drama.
harriscalvin-17 April 2020
Polaris was a really compelling dramatic film. Director Soudabeh Moradian did a fantastic job with her actors and crew. It was really nice to see Elizabeth Rohm (for all of those Law & Order fans). The movie was well written and the cast all delivered sound performances. The film give the audience a peak inside the challenges that exist between two different cultures and someone suffering from PTSD. The music, cinematography, and editing were all on point.
A movie with heart
abuckeye-936326 May 2020
Polaris is about a war time photographer with post traumatic syndrome that fights to over come trials and tribulations, most of which are of her own doing. The cast acting is spot on and will keep your interest from beginning to end.
Very well done!
frankenyolandi27 April 2020
Polaris surprised me. It is a heavy topic for an indie film, and I was worried that it might not be executed well. Oh how I was wrong. The story is well told, the film beautifully shot and the acting not bad at all either! The film is highly entertaining but also gives you a new perspective of what photographers in war (and other professions probably also have to go through. Even though they are not at the front lines of fire, what they see and what they experience should not be discounted. I can highly recommend this film.
Simply Outstanding
robertjuster11 April 2020
Wow. Polaris really knocked my socks off - took a little bit to get going, but once it did I found myself deeply riveted - following each unexpected twist and turn along with the stellar cast.
Soudabeh Moradian's work here was simply outstanding.
Soudabeh Moradian's work here was simply outstanding.
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